An educated perspective on mental illness

With such a strong stigma attached to it mental illness has become a scapegoat for all that is wrong with the current debate on gun violence. Although the statistics show that the mentally ill are more than likely the victims of violence, those afflicted with this misunderstood condition are often blamed for those terrible incidents that have become more and more frequent in the American society. My feeling and belief is that the greater public needs to have a in depth discussion about this illness. To meet and hear from those affected by this little understood condition. It is my intention to create a forum where mentally ill patients can find support and am empathetic ear from people like them where they can not only express their perspective personal experiences so that others like them and the general public also will have a better understanding of what people afflicted with mental illness can provide the greater community. It is well known that many bi-polar people are some of the brightest artists, poets, writers, actors, musicians, playwrights and even very successful CEO's.

There can be an evolution of understanding and I hope to be the vehicle to manifest this with the forum I propose.

Very sincerely Paul LaBonte