Treat mental health seriously

THE EDITOR, Sir:

The recent unfortunate events that unfolded on the streets of Christiana saw an armed policeman being viciously attacked by a man said to be of unsound mind. All reports point to the officer being attacked without provocation.

The intervention of Good Samaritans enabled the cop to escape with his life and for the attacker to be apprehended.

CASE OF TWO VICTIMS

The trauma aside, the narrative here should highlight the fact that there were two victims, the attacker and his victim.

This latest episode of a so-called mad man attacking someone should reinforce the fact that mental health is a real and genuine issue.

We have latched on to the mistaken view that mental health is somehow not equivalent to physical health.

This view has literally cost citizens their lives.

We need a new paradigm in how we perceive, address, and treat mental illnesses of all types.

NOEL MATHERSON

noelmatherson@gmail.com