Letters to the Editor

Mental illness stigmatized

Written by Kathy Seacrest, regional administrator, Region II Human Services; Teresa Ward, LIMHP, director of outpatient services/day rehab Friday, 28 January 2011 16:43

In the wake of great tragedy such as the recent Arizona shootings, the temptation exists to isolate a single factor that can make sense of unthinkable violence. The reality is that a multitude of factors converged to lead events to unfold as they did. To focus on mental illness as the lone predictor contributes to its own tragedy; the false belief that people with mental illness are violent and should be feared.

Research has borne out time and again that mental illness, even at its most severe, is not alone a predictor of violence. The Elbogen study in 2009 outlined the top ten predictors of violence. They were as follows: age (the younger the person, the higher the risk), history of violence, gender (males are more likely to become violent than females), history of juvenile detention, divorce or separation within the past year, history of physical abuse, parental criminal history, and unemployment within the past year. It is not until ninth on the list that mental illness becomes a factor, and even then, it is only when mental illness exists in combination with substance abuse. A person with mental illness and no history of substance abuse and no history of violence is no more likely to be violent than anyone else in the general population, and in fact, are at two and a halftimes greater risk of being the victim of violence at some point in their lives.

Mental illness stigma is based largely on the false belief that mental illness equates with dangerousness. Due to stigma, individuals struggling to overcome a mental illness can face a constant series of rejections and exclusions. People struggling to recover from mental illness can find themselves denied adequate housing, loans, health insurance, jobs, and isolated from the support of friends, family and their community. Stigma about mental illness is so pervasive, it is often what prevents people from seeking help. The only way to fight stigma is with facts. The fact is that 26% of people will suffer from symptoms of a mental illness in their lifetime. They are no more likely than anyone else to become violent. There are things we each can do to fight the stigma. Educate yourself about mental illness. Be aware of hurtful language and challenge media stereotypes. Support those with mental health issues. Understand that mental illness is a disease, much like diabetes or cancer, and can be managed very successfully with proper treatment. Perpetuating misplaced and misguided fear only serves to prevent those who need help from seeking it.

The hate comes from the left

Written by Neil A. Davis, Gothenburg Thursday, 27 January 2011 17:36

When I was a youngster I worked for Wm. Kittenbrink. I rode around with him in his car and dug up musk thistle in his pastures. He was pretty old and couldn’t turn his head to see traffic approaching from the side. So, I also had the job of co-pilot.

I think he was a millionaire and contributed a lot to the funding of our hospital. It didn’t occur to me that he might be evil if he didn’t pay as much in taxes as some other person. I was just glad that he gave me a job and amazed that he drove his car around in pastures. The money he paid me, trickled down to the people who make comic books.

When a wealthy person buys a yacht, they are supporting a company that employs people and purchases materials from numerous suppliers, who also employ people. Those employees buy goods and services from countless others, that also employ people.

Socialists don’t like this plan, but they can’t come up with anything that works better. In fact, they can’t come up with a plan that works at all.

Liberal thinking is, if you make up to $500,000 you are deserving of a tax break. If you make one cent more, you should rot in hell. How does the amount of money someone else makes, affect you negatively? It seems like envy to me.

Liberals are all about equality, until it comes down to the source of their money supply. They want you to focus on the victims and forget about the fact that they are sanctioning theft by the government, to obtain what they are unable to get on their own. If you think they should have the freedom to do that, I reserve the right to be free from your way of thinking.

Was the recession caused by the Bush tax cuts? From 2000 to 2010 federal spending on Medicare rose 81%, Medicaid and SCHIP 87%, unemployment benefits 559% and federal employee health programs 232%. Maybe entitlement spending played a part.

A simple graph showing debt as a percentage of GDP, makes it easy to see. It was only after Democrats took over Congress in 2007 that real problems began. Their policies caused the sub-prime mortgage meltdown.

What does it mean to be tired of the hate and hype? Absolutely nothing, if you engage in the same practices you are complaining about. The liberal media onslaught after the shootings in Tucson is the perfect example. Within hours (with total disregard for facts or truth), pundits and Democrat politicians, had Sarah Palin training the shooter and painting targets on the victims. Rush Limbaugh bought the gun. The Tea Party gave the shooter a ride to Safeway on their bus. No facts, no truth.

Both sides engage in hype. That won’t change. Republicans police their own. Democrats make excuses. The hate has always been on the left. If you think I’m wrong, show me proof.

Who is the good neighbor?

Written by Bob Bullock, Gothenburg Thursday, 27 January 2011 17:35

To all of you good neighbors and those who care:

I’m 82 years old and I’ve lived in the same neighborhood for 40 years and never had any trouble with my neighbors.

Unfortunately I’ve been handicapped in a wheelchair for the last two or three years. A couple of days ago my boy was using my neighbor’s drive way. She came out of her house and told us we couldn’t use her drive to load me in my pickup. She called the police and they came down and explained to us that if we used it again she would have me arrested for trespassing.

I’m pretty upset with her, but she’s probably right.

Question: Who is the good neighbor and who is the bad neighbor? If I go to town I might have to use somebody else’s driveway. What do I do then?

Special cookie, special meaning

Written by Martha Goed Wednesday, 19 January 2011 22:27

While visiting family and friends in Gothenburg, we stopped into Daylight Donuts to pick up some rolls before leaving.

Deb gave us a Christmas cookie—it wasn’t an ordinary cookie—it was a Christmas cookie with candle and a message that read,“Jesus is the Reason for the Season,” so celebrate Christmas Day and sing Happy Birthday to Jesus.

So, after all the family had gathered for this special day, we did indeed sing Happy Birthday to Jesus. It was so inspiring to see the Children’s faces as they sang and blew out that candle.

It was a special idea Deb shared with all that received that special Christmas cookie, and one I hope she shares with all next year as we will be back to receive one, also.

It helps—I hope all of us—to remember that “Jesus is the Reason for the Season.”

Beware of carbon monoxide

Written by Dan, Trudy and Becca Else, Gothenburg Thursday, 13 January 2011 15:11

Our community is very lucky to have dedicated volunteer emergency personnel and police officers. If you know a volunteer fireman please express your appreciation for the time they give.

Our carbon monoxide alarm went off about 1:30 a.m. Monday morning. The police and six volunteer firemen quickly responded in those wee, cold hours and spent time making sure our family was safe and secure. After the gas company checked our house, it was determined that our carbon monoxide detector was malfunctioning.

Please check your fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors and make sure they are working. The gas company employee told us that the plug in detectors need replacing every 3-5 years and of course those with batteries need checked often.

The following information is from the Nebraska Regional Poison Center. Prevention is best treatment for carbon monoxide poisonings.

ach year, carbon monoxide poisoning kills nearly 500 people nationwide and sends over 15,000 to the emergency room. The Centers for Disease Control ranked Nebraska as the state with the highest reliable mortality rate from carbon monoxide. In 2010, the Nebraska Regional Poison Center received 292 calls concerning carbon monoxide. But this figure can be misleading because carbon monoxide poisoning is often under-reported. It is imperative that the citizens of Nebraska understand the dangers, the symptoms and how to prevent poisoning from carbon monoxide.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include sleepiness, headache, dizziness, blurred vision, nausea, shortness of breath and convulsions. The first step in treating carbon monoxide poisoning is getting the victim to fresh air. Then seek medical attention immediately.

Carbon monoxide is a gas produced when fuels burn incompletely. It has no color, taste or smell. The major causes of carbon monoxide poisoning include:

Using heating equipment that is in poor repair

Lack of ventilation in a car

Using a charcoal grill indoors

Using unvented space heaters

The Nebraska Regional Poison Center offers the following suggestions to help prevent carbon monoxide poisoning:

Inspect all fuel-burning equipment yearly.

Vent fuel-burning heaters to the outside.

Do not use a gas range or an oven for heating a room.

Never use a charcoal grill or hibachi inside.

Install carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home.

Never leave a car running in an attached garage, even with the garage door open.

Have the vehicle muffler and tailpipes checked regularly.

The Nebraska Regional Poison Center offers tips on carbon monoxide poisoning prevention as a free community service. If you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning or if you have any questions, contact the Nebraska Regional Poison Center toll-free at 1-800-222-1222.

Thank you to police officer Joe Humphrey and the volunteer fireman who responded to our alarm. You had a very busy week helping our community and your dedication and time are truly appreciated.