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Smart Talk: What don’t we know about mental illness?

What to look for on Smart Talk Thursday, November 7, 2013:

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Over the past year, there has been renewed emphasis on recognizing and treating mental illness.

Unfortunately, it took a tragedy to prompt the efforts.

Last December, a mentally ill young man took guns owned by his mother, went to Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut and went on a shooting rampage. He killed 20 school children and six adults. A gun control debate ensued, even though the mother had purchased the weapons legally. Part of the conversation centered on someone suffering from mental illness having access to guns.

Gun rights supporters responded that the real problem was mental illness and even gun control advocates agreed that was part of the issue.

The Sandy Hook shooting is unusual. There are millions of mentally ill people who suffer in silence or with very little fanfare everyday.

On Thursday’s Smart Talk, we’ll discuss how pervasive mental illness is, how and if it is being treated, and funding.

Joining us will be representatives of Keystone Human Services.

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MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES

Keystone Human Services

Network of Care

The Pennsylvania Mental Health Consumers’ Association

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Kathyann Corl, Mike Grier & Daniel Rios

For more personal stories about recovery check out the book Recovery: In Our Own Words. This collection of personal stories of recovery and transformation is based on the Ten Fundamental Components of Recovery from the National Consensus Statement on Mental Health Recovery, and shared by Keystone Community Mental Health Services’ Leadership Council and Recovery Specialists. These are powerful stories of strength and inspiration, giving readers a message of hope for the future.

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