Ghost_Killer_

Hopefully I'm not too late.

Do you think that many of today's major crimes could have been prevented with better and more accessible mental health care? It seems like a common trend among major issues today (ie mass shootings) is mental health. Whether it be the person never got treatment or it was just ineffective.

I do live in michigan so it's great to see this post. Thank you for doing it

My cousin was diagnosed with aspergers at about 17. He has never been the same since. He's like 22 now. Whenever we go to visit my aunt, we never see him. He comes home, immediately goes to his room, and closes the door and we wont see him for any time other than to eat or if its something like opening presents (we usually visit around Christmas time). He wanted nothing more than to be a pilot and the FAA rejected him because of his diagnosis about 3 years ago. They cant get him to a therapist/psychiatrist, they cant get him to go to a support group, he rather sit in his room all day. Nobody really knows what he does in there. He hasn't done anything serious yet like hit somebody, give threats or show any kind of aggressive behavior as of now. but my mom has told me she does worry that he could be on the news someday for bad reasons.

Sadly, his diagnosis came late unlike your son's. It was actually discovered by the FAA when he tried to become a pilot. It was discovered too late so he wasnt able to grow up knowing about it like your son did and he's letting it define him now. And I know it's hard for him to overcome the fact of that. I'm not one of those people that will tell a depressed person "just be happier", but all he needs to do is get his outlook on life set in the right path. But again, easier said than done and I'm not in his position. So at this point, it's just a waiting game.

Thanks for your reply. Mental health and crime has been something on my mind. One of my main beliefs is that gun control can only be effective with good mental health care. But hey, I might be wrong. I have been wrong before.

NOOOO!!!!! I THINK I MISSED IT!!! That's my absolute favorite all time song. Love the message, love the sound, love the vocals, everything! But if I didn't miss it:

1) what was it like working with Avicii? Was he really the musical genius everyone said he was?

2) what was the motivation... or rather the Inspiration behind "The Nights"? Why write a song to tell people to live their best life rather than talk about love? (which the title could also make work)

3) how did the collaboration start?

4) what has been your all time favorite memory as a writer?

I literally have "one day you'll leave this world behind, so live a life you will remember" as a quote on my Instagram bio and I've started to hold that view in life as a whole

No yes, I do agree. Not all are dangerous. I realize now how bad I made my question sound. I know media is just projecting the bad stuff, but the common trend I have noticed is that the (going back to the mass shooting example) shooter was always an outcast in some way. They didnt have any friends. No one talked to them. People reported them as "off". I know not all of them are going to be the next massive criminal, I'm just a firm believer that right now one of the best gun control methods we could have is mental health checks.

But hey, I may be totally wrong. Wouldnt be the first time. Thanks for the response