Meet the challenge to treat mental illness

https://www.thedailyiberian.com/opinion/letter-to-the-editor-does-our-nation-have-the-patience-to-address-mental-illnesses/article_491b4c3e-61e3-11ed-9966-2bdb7e8f4203.html

For some time, it has been known that America has not met the challenge of the rise in mental illness. We are doing a pretty good one when facing physical illnesses, we might even be the world leader here, but on the mental side I do not think so. Can we therefore equate some of the acts of violence and similar anti-social behavior we are witnessing as never before to the lack of our willingness to exert more efforts to address the country's mental health issues?

Resources must be allocated to solve problems and perhaps the physical ones are just easier to address? A cut will heal quicker with meds and band-aids, but the results of treating mental issues are not seen as soon. Do we have a tendency to allocate where we perceive we are getting the 'biggest bang for the buck', a variation of seeking 'instant gratitude'? We know this situation surrounds us and we are perhaps not as yet motivated to act?


I see a certain madness in other lands in this world today. Daily we read of world leaders saying frankly insane statements and making threats willy-nilly. They are not alone for we too have 'leaders' saying some really crazy stuff too. 

Frankly, I'm sorry, but I just cannot accept that this is just 'politics' and I should simply ignore what I am seeing with my eyes and hearing with my ears. This foolishness insults my intelligence and therefore also insults me as a person.

Real solutions do not often come easily, but they usually require time and effort. I can only trust our great nation will take a long look inside itself and address our problems by addressing the basic causes. Who really knows, this approach may lead to positive outcomes.

Richard Phillips in New Iberia, Louisiana

Louisiana echo opinion ~ no guns in schols

Educators carrying guns in Iberia Parish Schools?

The Daily Iberian

Defend Life – Defend Education.
Written by Raymond Lewis
Former Iberia Parish School Board member
Former New Iberia City Council member

New Iberia, Louisiana
LOUISIANA- Finding these well written opinion letters in support of progressive policies, in conservative "red state" newspapers, is a hobby I am finding to be politically therapeutic.  Indeed, there are Blue Voters, even in big red blots.

After the numerous shootings of children and teachers in our schools through out of our country; I personally think it is a “bad idea” to arm teachers and educators in our Iberia Parish School District or anywhere else. 

Let us not forget in May 1981, we had an educator shoot his girl friend, a teacher, with a school full of children. So for the president and others who want to arm teacher/educators who are already stressed out with educational standards and dealing with generation edge children; I say bad idea. The Second Amendment of our Constitution does give legal age citizens the right to bear arms if not convicted of a felon. U.S. Justice Anthony Scalia wrote in a decision for the Supreme Court that said it was the courts decision that a person had the right to own a handgun. But his writings (on the United States Supreme Court) did not reflect any decision on bump-stock or assault rifles.
Finally, the Iberia Parish School Board will be selecting a new superintendent of education on Wednesday, March 7. None of the candidates were asked about a very important question: Would they support an armed educator in our school district, even after we know of the shooting that happened at New Iberia Junior High in 1981. Case #32237, State of LA vs Lionel Armstead Sr., who entered a plea of not guilty by reasons of insanity. I am a legal gun owner and I support the Second Amendment! I also support our children, who are driving changes in the gun control laws throughout the USA.