When Our Government Protects Us From Ourselves

When Our Government Protects Us From Ourselves

This has been a week of unbelievable sadness caused by a mentally ill college student that tragically snuffed out the lives of 32 students and faculty members at Virginia Tech. As a Virginia Tech alumni, and having interfaced with the mental health care community for too many years I feel particularly qualified to comment on the ranting and ravings of the media. No, I’m not a psychiatrist, psychologist, nor a TV or radio reporter that would want us to believe they know all the answers. But I am a caregiver for a family member that has had mental problems for more than 50 years.
We are hearing from many “experts” that are looking for a simple explanation of a complex problem. I do not pretend to know why this man did what he did, and why his earlier behavior was not considered dangerous to those around him. I certainly disagree with those who believe Tech President Steger could have prevented the tragic outcome without having access to the crystal ball belonging to the cable news media. I commend our Governor Kaine for appointing a group of highly qualified persons to help find answers that will prevent this type of violence in our schools and colleges, and perhaps elsewhere. I am hopeful that this committee will look well beyond Virginia Tech and at our mental health system, its practitioners, its institutions, and our legal system.
First psychiatrists – we’ve heard several speak through the media this week – analyzing and explaining how and why Ho did what he did. Interesting – yes. Meaningful – perhaps. But this much I do know. Of at least a dozen shrinks I’ve had contact with over many years there is very little agreement regarding not only treatment methods, but often in the diagnosis itself. So who do you listen to? I get the feeling that those doctors speaking on the airwaves are more interested in a personal agenda that will enhance their reputations. Please Committee – be careful. Mentally ill people do not walk around announcing their intentions with a sign or barcode on their forehead.
Our Government – Privacy laws and our legal system are flawed from the start. It’s a hodgepodge of laws created to crowd our courts with law suits, and to line lawyer’s pockets, but does little to protect ordinary citizens while placing obstacles in his or her path. Case-in-point: I’m a caregiver of my spouse that requires monitoring and continuous medical care. My spouse has a poor memory and tends not to tell the truth by omission or otherwise. Even I, and certainly not her health care specialists, are able to predict her actions.
Ok – back to the Virginia Tech tragedy. It might be appropriate for the Government to use the phrase from the old Pogo cartoon: I have met the enemy and he is us. I believe that the committee should take a hard look at all of the laws and rulings intended to protect us from ourselves. Those pertaining to the mental health system and privacy must have a proper balance between truly needed privacy, the welfare of the individual, and the safety of innocent third parties. We do not need more laws, but better laws. We must empower our educators to do the right thing without being fearful of “big brother” government and lawyers. Yes, there should be a universal code of behavior that our teachers can actively follow without the fear of reprisal.
The Government should not overzealously protect us from ourselves by creating obstacles in our daily lives. Privacy laws should be applied with some logic. Certainly a professor should not have access to a student’s banking account data, but access to the student’s mental health records? Of course he should, especially when sound behavioral reasons exist.
Please Committee, do the right thing!