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February 07, 2009
Illinois mental-health advocates take issue with depiction of Gov. Blagojevich as "crazy."
The Chicago Tribune (1/29, Black) reported that recently, Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) "has been branded as sociopathic, delusional, narcissistic, grandiose, and psychotic, as well as cuckoo, crazy, wacko, and off his rocker. And, mental health advocates are upset about it."
They say that the "language offends many and blames mental illness for alleged criminal behavior." In fact, according to Fran McClain, program director for the Josselyn Center for Mental Health in Northfield, IL, "statistics show that people suffering from mental illness are more likely to be victims of crime than they are to be perpetrators."
Barb Maier, executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness chapter in northern Cook County, IL, added that "a true diagnosis should be left to a professional," saying, "No one should be slinging around pejorative terms, let alone diagnosing someone they have never met."
Related Links:
- "Calling Rod Blagojevich 'crazy' is offensive - to the mentally ill, health officials say, Lisa Black, Chicago tribune, January 29, 2009.
Posted by admin at February 7, 2009 11:21 AM