The importance of treatment

Two stories today illustrated the importance of consistent treatment for severe mental illness.

In Virginia, a young man tied up and assaulted family friends shortly after he was released from a state mental hospital. The victims, who have publicly forgiven their attacker, explained,

“When [he] takes his medication, he’s a nice caring person. But when he doesn’t, he’s dangerous.”

In Texas, the brother and sister of a man who fatally shot his parents before killing himself told sheriff's deputies their brother had a mental illness and had stopped taking his medication. Aransas County Sheriff Mark Gilliam explained:

"The family said the mother and father were dealing with trying to get him to take his medication and he wouldn't," Gilliam said. "When he didn't, he would go off the deep end."