OT Article on my friend's slain son

this is an article written about my friends son. While they are not thrilled about the title they do feel it is a fair article and hope it will be helpful. Thanks for all your prayers for them and their son.

http://www.news-record.com/content/2010/02/21/article/slain_ teen_wanted_to_make_the_news

Nicole

This is so scary.  My niece (25 years old) is bi-polar.  Just left a stint in half-way house and is back with my sister.  She gets violent (so far hand-fighting type violent) when she's in that mode.  I sent my sister the article.
 

Nicole - I read it twice crying the entire time. This poor young man and his family. I never understood why they couldn't do things like shoot them in the hand or leg to stop them instead of a fatal shot. I hope that your friend and her family can nd some kind of peace and help to educate law enforcement to try and prevent a future tragedy

*hugs*

Liz

Thank you for posting this, Nicole.  Such a tragic situation.  The only possible silver lining is that it has highlighted the need for CIT for law enforcement.  Unfortunately, this is a situation that occurs all too often and until CIT is required for all police departments, it will continue to happen in communities all over the world.

There's also a need for refoirm of mental health legislation right here in PA, so that the families of MH patients have a voice in determining when treatment should occur involuntarily, in cases where the individual is not truly competent to make that decision.  Right now, families' hands are largely tied unless the patient has actually threatened harm to themselves or to others - and by that time, things have escalated to a point where it's so difficult to de-escalate.  I urge those who are interested to become educated on this topic - you can find out more at nami.org under "inform me."

Karen

Karen thanks for your suggestion about NAMI. Mike Weaver has been a big part of helping them. He connected them with Lorraine who is a supportive Journalist for the News and Record and is helping get them connected with an attorney. It is important to shed light on this. People who initially thought " where were the parents? " in this situation now can see exactly where they were.

I'm SURE it's not failsafe - however - there are in PA 302 forms which means someone (either doctor, or family) can sign for involuntary committment.  We use them in the ER on multiple occassions.  It does not have to be for just violent threats or the such.  Granted - I'm sure there are things that it CAN'T be used for and therefore leads to the hand tied situation.  And it can be a difficult process to get through, reform is needed in so many places.  With everything with my brother...NJ is another one!

A very tragic story indeed - and I agree - the title is not appropriate - but giving so much of both sides of the story - I must say - is quite impressive.

I hope You,  your friend and their family can continue to find peace as they grieve through this terrible situation.

Nicole - this is such a tragedy.  I will keep this family in my thoughts and prayers.
Lisa

My 15 yr old is adhd/ bipolar and it scares the hell out of me.  She has been violent with me and others in the past.  Whenshe is manic, she in uncontrollable.  She has been through the realm of  medications for adhd and bipolar, and it does not last.  then they change her.  she has been through many many shrinks and doctors, to no avail.  Every few months we start all over again trying to get her straightened out.  She has been hospitalized numerous times.  I pray constantly that she somehow gets control.

The family is definitely in my prayers.