A never-ending calamity in progress: this is my view of our country’s rather pitiful address to mental health. How many more mass shootings, suicides, assaults, etc., will it take for our country to put mental illness completely at the forefront? In my opinion, at least 90% of the gun violence in our country is a result of mental health issues.

Every time a television commercial appears espousing a “get quick fix” solution after taking a medicine for clinical depression for a few days, I cringe. The message this sends is that one only needs to take medicine, and nothing else, to conquer the painful life one leads when battling clinical depression.

Because I have battled clinical depression for over 40 years, I know the horrible treatment projected by others. It takes much more than medicine to fight this battle.

One must seek professional help. In addition, it is essential that one gets very positive and compassionate treatment by one’s friends and family during an episode of clinical depression (hugs, for example). Most of the time this doesn’t happen, and this can lead to the further anguish and potential suicide of the victim being shunned, avoided, untouchable, etc. This happened to me; it was only because of the keen insight of my neighbors that I was saved.

Kay Wawrynovic

Hollidaysburg