The tragedy in Isla Vista, California last weekend has raised a number of issues and of course has turned attention onto mental health and mental healthcare. However, as Globe and Mail author Leah McLaren reports in the must read article "The Elliot Rodger Case: It’s Time to Listen To Concerned Parents About Mental Illness", the case of Elliot Rodgers more importantly highlights the key role that families and especially parents play in managing and identifying mental illness.
"The case of Elliot Rodgers highlights a central problem in the system, and that is the historic failure of authorities (be they mental health professionals or police) to listen, respond and be prepared to intervene based on the information supplied by the family and friends of young people suffering from mental illness."
The mental health professionals interviewed in this article also stress how essential it is that we begin to listen to family members who often have more insight into their child's mental well-being, as well as encourage families to seek help early on when changes begin to arise, and help ensure psychiatry institutions and interventions are more family focused.
"The case of Elliot Rodgers highlights a central problem in the system, and that is the historic failure of authorities (be they mental health professionals or police) to listen, respond and be prepared to intervene based on the information supplied by the family and friends of young people suffering from mental illness."
The mental health professionals interviewed in this article also stress how essential it is that we begin to listen to family members who often have more insight into their child's mental well-being, as well as encourage families to seek help early on when changes begin to arise, and help ensure psychiatry institutions and interventions are more family focused.
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