More attention needed on mental illness

Our country is 200 years behind in recognizing that mental illnesses are biological based no fault brain illnesses. Unless a sick person has someone who recognizes their illness and advocates for them, they can ultimately end up homeless, then stigmatized as being unable to “pull themselves up by their bootstraps.”

Add to that, reduced funding for mental illness, a completely broken health care system, the incompetence and glacial pace that government offices process disability benefits, along with communities who reject supportive housing for folks in recovery who already live in the area and pose no danger to neighbors or property values, we have one big mess. In addition, we have a new president who refers to behavioral health centers as “insane asylums” and “mental institutions,” illustrating that he has not the slightest concept of a plan to address this long neglected problem.

Our country needs to focus its attention on those who suffer from mental illnesses. They are people from all walks of life and income levels and they deserve proper medical treatment and community support.

Louis S. Guagenti

Arlington Heights