Your Opinion: Recognize signs of mental illness

Dear Editor:

No one knows what, if anything, could have been done to prevent the tragedy in Aurora, Colo. in which 12 people were slain and 58 wounded at the premiere of a Batman movie.

Despite public perception, the U.S. Surgeon General reported, "the overall contribution of mental disorders to the total level of violence in society is exceptionally small." Persons suffering from mental illness are far more likely to be victims of crime than perpetrators.

On the other hand, violence sometimes occurs. The Surgeon General acknowledges the risk of violence increases to some degree when substance abuse is present or a person experiences psychosis. Psychosis typically involves a "break with reality" through paranoia, hallucinations or delusions.

Social withdrawal often precedes a break and warning signs may be present, particularly in the year leading up to the break. Young adults in their 20s are the most common age group to experience the first onset of psychosis. Families should pay attention to:

• Worrisome drop in academic or job performance.

• New trouble thinking clearly or concentrating.

• Suspiciousness or uneasiness around others.

• Spending a lot more time than usual alone.

• Increased sensitivity to sights or sounds.

• Mistaking noises for voices.

• Unusual or overly intense new ideas.

• Strange new feelings or having no feelings at all.

Psychosis is treatable and outcomes are best when help is sought early on. Many people recover from a first episode and never experience another one. The first step, however, is recognizing the onset and getting treatment.

Here in Missouri, we have the Mental Health First Aid course to educate school officials, church personnel, corporate human resource workers and others to spot early symptoms and assist individuals in getting help. NAMI's Family-to-Family course takes it one step further and gives close family members the knowledge and skills they need to promote mental wellness. Another course provides information and skill training to families of children and adolescents.

We may never know if the Colorado tragedy could have been prevented. What we do know is that increasing our understanding can go a long way to fight the shame, silence and inaction that frequently surround mental illness.