From: Cecile

These “shouts” in the media and on internet posts 
are flung out, striking here and there. It’s 
guns. It’s mental illness. It’s right-wing news media. It’s Sarah Palin.

But the reason for this troubled young man’s 
behavior is obvious: the support he needed was non-existent.

People in both high school and college with lots 
of exposure to that age group noticed his 
distress and some even took action. The college 
suspended him until he got some medical 
attention, but what further needed to be done? 
His teachers and instructors didn’t take any 
extra steps. The family wasn’t up to the 
challenge. Where in the community was the one 
available, affordable, accessible organization, 
non-profit, health clinic, agency…the one social 
worker or friend or therapist or doctor?

And why isn’t anyone asking these questions?

Why, when we know people under stress are helped 
by caring responses, weren’t there people and 
places in Tucson for him to go to and get help? 
Why aren’t we questioning budget allocations, 
civic spending, health care accessibility, 
treatment options, ethical and compassionate 
community, educational, spiritual, and medical responses.

Because we know deep down this is the reason­an 
economic tinge to a situation that means help is 
not there when people need it. That scares us to the bone.

Does your community have a place for troubled youth to go to?


www.peoplewho.org