When I was 18, I made a friend who had a secret.
My new friend had a family member who avoided people.
As our friendship lengthened, I discovered the family
member wasn't shy but was mentally ill - and dangerous.
Numerous times, the family kept this person locked in
the house for safety. Eventually, the person became a
danger to the family, too.
I had a frightening experience with this person. When
my usual ride to my doctor's appointment canceled at the
last minute, my friend offered to get me there. Unknown
to me, the unstable family member was to be my driver.
As we were traveling on a major freeway toward the
appointment, this person looked at me and said that both
of us should die in an auto accident - right now. This
person said both of us were damaged, and our families
really didn't want us. I quietly argued - convincingly -
that we should both stay alive.
I made it to my appointment, called my friend to come
right away, and we returned home safely.
The family member was later arrested on a charge of
petty theft. When the court date came and the person
didn't show, the family finally divulged the erratic and
dangerous behavior of their beloved. The judge issued a
warrant. The person was found and admitted to a hospital
for a psychiatric evaluation, resulting in a diagnosis
of paranoid schizophrenia and manic depression. The
judge ordered immediate incarceration to a mental health
institution.
After years of treatment, this person is a
well-functioning and employed member of the community,
thanks to state mental health programs that make sure
adults with severe mental health problems receive proper
medication and hospitalization.
This past week, a man with mental health issues was
charged with killing five innocent people. I was stunned
to find out New Mexico doesn't have an involuntary
mental health treatment program. Without such a program,
our entire state is a dangerous place to live.
Mental health issues have always carried a stigma,
which sometimes causes people to delay or even refuse
treatment. The excuse that an involuntary mental health
treatment program violates a person's civil rights is
ducking reality. People who suffer from mental illness
usually don't know it. Rarely do severely mentally ill
people voluntarily commit themselves to a hospital for
treatment.
To wait for a crime to be committed is unacceptable.
It's time for New Mexico to accept accountability for
the health and safety of all its citizens. If we
continue to find reasons to avoid an involuntary mental
health treatment program, what will be our excuse the
next time?
McKee, a wheelchair user, is an Albuquerque
writer, poet and producer. You can e-mail Barbara
at chairgrrl@chairgrrl.com.
Her column runs on Tuesdays.
