Blind Flouting Authority

Yesterday was the two-year anniversary of the Virginia Tech Massacre. This whole week I've heard of the tragic loss of the 32 individuals lost, but not many have lamented over the self-inflicted loss of Seung-Hui Cho, the perpetrator. The Afterw@rd is here to advocate on his behalf, on behalf of his family who lost a child, lost a brother.

A loss of child or a brother is hard enough. While I don't propose to know the pain the Cho family must be going through, I do understand what it feels like to experience a premature loss. The pain and the shame to me is unimaginable under the circumstances.

Nikki Giovanni, renown poet and Cho's former English professor, knew that the young man needed professional help. Yet, her cries for help -- which were his cries through his writings -- went unheeded by school authorities.

Similarly, in Springfield, MA, a mother at her wits end went to a the school authorities to request that her 11 year old son be protected from bullies that were calling him "gay." The child had never identified himself as such. The school representatives did nothing. Her child took his own life Thursday of last week.

Next week we'll be facing the tragic 9-year anniversary of the Columbine Massacre.
What have we, our school officials, our society, really learned about mental illness since then?

Intervention is need. It starts with increasing our awareness at work, at home, at school, at church, on the street. What does depression look like? How does someone with an anxiety disorder act? Take the time to educate yourself. It might help save more than one life, even your own.

Over 90% of people who die by suicide have clinical depression or another diagnosable mental disorder. Help defy the statistics by being vigilant. If you suspect that someone is suffering from depression or other mental disorder, help them find and speak to a mental health professional.

The Afterw@rd