Officials say mental health issues put on back burner in Douglas County
LAWRENCE - Mental illnesses are like physical ones; they are biologically based and can be treated. Local health officials started digging deeper into this issue after the tragedy in Aurora, Colorado, where one man killed 12 people and injured 58 during the midnight premiere of The Dark Knight Rises. Some say the accused suffers from a mental health disorder, saying over the years he became a loner, and was socially disengaged.
Bert Nash employees say there are many residents that suffer from mental health disorders and go unnoticed. They say sometimes tragedies such as the one in Aurora can be prevented if close friends and family members take action if and when they notice a change in their loved ones behavioral patterns.
Health officials say if you notice odd behavior in family members or friends, don't brush it under the rug, it could be the onset of a mental illness. One in four Americans will suffer from a diagnosable mental health disorder in any given year, and though the signs might not be as clear as glass, there are always red flags that can point you to the problem.