Addressing and Bettering Mental Health in Lubbock after El Paso Shooting

The mass shooting in El Paso, Texas, has left people blaming mental health issues as the cause of that kind of brutality–again. As much as mental health has been a long-spoken issue, few recognize its seriousness or take measures to combat it. The sole suspect, 21-year old white male identified as Patrick Wood Crusius, said that ‘he did not hold anything back’ during the killings. He was also said to be a loner, which has elicited the thoughts that he is one of the many untreated mental cases out there. Patrick, who is from Allen, Texas, was linked to an online manuscript published a few days before, which had mentioned a ‘Hispanic invasion’ of Texas. The mass shooting happened shortly after.

The unfortunate Texas event is still fresh in the minds of many. As police confirmed, 20 people died, and 26 others were injured. Family and friends of victims of the Hispanic attack can find professional support in Lubbock to help them deal with the trauma. More importantly, there is a need to take action on the increasing cases of mental health.

The way forward for a saner society

A lot needs to be done moving forward to solve the problem of mental health. According to a post by the Washington post, certain types of severe mental illness do increase the risk of a person perpetrating a violent crime. The risks increase based on other factors such as substance abuse and difficulty getting employment due to cognitive issues.

Recognizing early signs of mental illness

First off, we need to learn how to identify early signs of mental illness in those around us. We need to learn to and offer support systems as well as encourage them to seek professional help. Early symptoms of mental illness include:

• Antisocial behavior, such as withdrawing from people and friends.
• Sudden and extreme changes in moods, where some people exhibit signs of violence and hostility. It includes episodes of normal behavior and then a drift to sadness and feeling low.
• Detachment from reality, delusional behavior, and at times exhibiting paranoia and hallucinations.
• Drug and substance abuse.
• Changes in eating habits, either over or under eating.
• Increased anxiety and worrying, with signs of confusion and reduced concentration.
• Physical problems such as stomach and back pain, migraines, and other unexplained kinds of pains.

Visit a mental health professional as soon as possible

Rarely do mental health conditions improve on their own. If they are left untreated, they tend to worsen, which poses a great danger for the person and ourselves as well. It is crucial to seek medical help immediately. If you are having suicidal thoughts, there are hotlines that you can call. You can even call 911 to get help.

We all need to be observant to notice changes in those around us that indicate mental issues. Let us encourage them to speak up and seek medical help. We could even accompany them during psychologist appointments.

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