Political Quotes

“In a couple of days we will have a moment of silence in respect and memory of the victims of Sandy Hook Elementary. We need to take those moments to pause, reflect, and pray. However, afterwards, we cannot be silent on the need to get something done, on the need to pass comprehensive and meaningful legislation, and the need to help the mentally ill. Has the world changed since Newtown and the other tragedies? Sadly, little has been done to get those who need help the help they need. In the past few decades, this Nation has moved forward in knowledge of what it takes to help, but has moved backward in getting the help done. And where there is no help, there is no hope. We have fewer psychiatric hospital beds, fewer outpatient treatment options, restrictions on the use of medications that can and do help those who are mentally ill, too few psychiatrists and psychologists and clinical social workers, especially child and adolescent specialists, and especially ones who are trained and specialize in treating the seriously mentally ill. We have too many barriers that prevent doctors from communicating with parents of the sons and daughters with persistent serious mental illness. We have Federal barriers that block treatment, Federal dollars that go to grants for programs that do not work. The National Institute of Mental Health has insufficient money to engage in needed research.…”