The truth about mental health,

   Come back with me 50 years as I remember with you, the beginning of the end of our government's desire to deal medically with the depths of the mind. Back in those times, the congress decided that it was a waste of taxpayer money, and no real gains, financial or otherwise had come. So the decision was made as quietly as possible, to eliminate the nation's psychiatric hospitals. This no cure hope had become too expensive on the financial side, while from society's  bleeding heart demographic, came an outcry regarding the inhumane treatment of those patients housed in these facilities. The truth is that they were right, once these hospitals were thought of as just a place for housing. The grossly underpaid staff was expected to clean up after these patient throwaways. So with little pay and even less respect, is it any wonder why the places became hell holes of filth, and widespread abuse. 

  No matter how you might try to spin the historical reality, the fact is that the medical society were making great strides in healing the brain as another organ of the body, but when it came to curing the diseases of the mind, few if any had a clue. Thanks in part to that 50+ year gap in real science, you can understand why mental health patients without a loving family wander our streets. Some prone to violence, but most not. From a higher perspective, this failure to unravel the workings of the mind was in effect proof, that a higher mind was necessary. In effect, they would have to throw up their hands and admit, we just don't understand. But their bloated bank accounts and egos would never allow such an admission. 

  From some personal encounters with the problem, I can tell you, that still today, perhaps more now than ever, we are no closer in our science to understand the meaning and workings of the mind. The answer now again to the problem is exactly as it was so many years ago, Out of sight, out of mind. The good news is that our housing facilities are much cleaner, and the patients are afforded at least, some measure of respect. Thankfully, there are a devoted few who really do care about their patients health, and the deserved respect and dignity afforded all human beings. 

  The headlines today scream of the problem, and it is to our shame that we have failed to address it. These people are not throw aways, they come from all walks of life, a troubled mind knows no boundary of finance, race or creed. Most, is not all of them, were once respected members of their communities. There are exceptions, for many children are born with learning disabilities. I understand that approximately 24 % of our youth commits suicide, are you so certain that it could not happen in your family? The time for justifying ignorance is over. We proudly murder are unborn children, while at the other end, house our troubled citizens where they become, Out of sight, out of mind. Shame on us all!