After reflecting on recent events and listening to the debate over all of the possible solutions, I had a thought. One of the biggest aspects we have overlooked is the mental health of our nation. We have gone from “Ricky and Lucy” sleeping in separate beds, hearing a gunshot off camera and someone falling to the floor, to well we all know. We have slowly been desensitized to the point that we no longer recognize what a mentally healthy person looks or sounds like.

We need to put our efforts into having access to, being exposed to and being educated about the issues that affect a mentally healthy person – not just kids but parents, professionals, nonprofessionals and “everyday” folks. If we continue to put “me” and “I” before “we” and “us” and not being a compassionate people, we are going to be dealing with this for a long time.

M. Martin
Chico