Mental Illness Expert Talks Recent Minn. Shootings
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The New Hope City Hall shooting has raised concerns over deadly violence and those who appear to be suffering from mental illness.
And it's not the only recent case to do so.
It was just one week ago when David Frigaard, a popular teacher and bar owner, was shot dead. Attorneys for the 19-year-old man charged with shooting him say the teen, Bailey Garcia, has a long history of psychiatric problems.
One organization that has worked for years to try and prevent these tragedies is the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
On Sunday morning, the group's executive director, Sue Abderholden, spoke with Esme Murphy about the New Hope City Hall shooting and the Garcia case.
She said it's important to understand that not every person with a mental illness is violent.
"It's still a small percentage of the population," she said. "But for that small group, we want to make sure that they get intensive treatment early."
Abderholden said that often when people start showing signs of serious mental illness, society doesn't do enough in response.
"We maybe hospitalize them for a little while, give them some medication, and that's it," she said. "That's not enough."
She said those people need to be engaged in treatment, to be working or in school, and living in safe and affordable housing.
Abderholden said that families concerned about relatives can turn to mental health crisis teams, which can travel to a family's home and engage an individual in treatment.
She also said that families should not try to convince a family member that they are mentally ill. Instead, they should work with them to complete goals, like getting a job or going to school.
As to the situation in New Hope, Abderholden said that the suspect, Ray Kmetz, should have received treatment, especially considering that many in the community knew that he had problems.
"It doesn't appear that he was receiving any services or supports," she said.
Kmetz was killed by police after opening fire on two Minneapolis police officers. The officers he shot suffered non-life-threatening wounds.
To see the full interview with Sue Abderholden, watch the video above.
