Mental Health, Essay Example

Mental Health

It is a sad indictment on many societies of the world that school shootings have become so commonplace that for many the news of another one is on par with that of a multi vehicle crash that has taken several lives.  There is, however, a big difference between such tragedies; namely, that whatever the cause of the motor vehicle accidents, they are  usually not intentional, whereas the school shootings are.  In the April 03, 2012, issue of The Globe and Mail there is an article entitled, “California suspect went on rampage after being teased about poor English skills:  Police” that states that the results of this shooting rampage was the killing of seven people and the wounding of three others.  Even though not all of these ten people may have teased the shooter, they all met with the same fate.  However, even if they had all teased the shooter, one should ask if that was sufficient reason for the cold blooded killing that took place.  One of the victims said that she witnessed one person being shot in the chest and another one in the head, which means that the shooter was facing these victims when he pulled the trigger.  To be able to do that, the hurts from the teasing and ridicule must have accumulated within the shooter to the point where he was totally overcome by an unimaginable deep hatred for his school mates that had been making his life so miserable for something that he could not help. Going to school may well have seemed to him like a fate worse than death.  On top of that, he had been expelled by a female administrator for  whom he unsuccessfully searched prior to beginning his random shooting rampage.  The article says that the shooter was expelled for possible behaviour problems.  Was this another instance of unfair treatment for the shooter?  How can one get expelled for possible behaviour problems?  One either exhibits behaviour problems or one does not, but possible? This poor 43-year-old man received no positive support from anyone.

Teasing, excluding and bullying seem to be as much of the school experience as the three R’s. When a recipient of these tactics has finally had enough and exploded, most articles report the incident in a matter of fact manner and may well add a sentence that is similar to the one in this article; namely, that the tragedy was shocking and useless.  Nothing was, however, said about the administration, faculty, support staff, and students in this Christian school refraining from such unacceptable behaviour in the future, which they urgently need to do.

The shooter in this article was, apparently, teased because of his poor English skills.  Students are, however, teased for a number of reasons, with some being teased for no reason at all.  Often children who do not stand up for themselves end up getting bullied, the results of which can produce long lasting and severe effects such as depression and anxiety (Centre of Knowledge on Healthy Child Development).  Also, “The youth who feels constantly picked on, teased, bullied, singled out for ridicule and humiliated at home or school may initially withdraw socially.  If not given support in addressing these feelings, may…vent them in inappropriate ways including possible aggression or violence” (Early Warning Signs of Violent Behaviour).  This is in line with class discussions as well as my viewpoint.  Therefore, everyone—including bystanders has a responsibility to eradicate teasing and bullying behaviour.

Works Cited

Centre of Knowledge on Healthy Child Development:  Oxford Centre for Child Studies.

Bullying and Teasing,  Retrieved on April 03, 2012, from http://www.knowledgeoffordcentre.com/behaviour-and-mentalhealth.

Collins, T. And Elias, P. (April 03, 2012).  California suspect went on rampage after being teased about poor English skills: police. The Globe and Mail, Toronto, ON.

Early Signs of Violent Behavior.  Retrieved on April 03, 2012, from http://www.laspd.com/Crimeprev/warning_signs.htm.