Letter: Neighbors of new psychiatric center shouldn’t worry

Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2004 | 8:39 a.m.

The Las Vegas Sun is to be commended on its Jan. 4 editorial in favor of the new psychiatric hospital. While residents may fear the stereotypes they see in the movies, mentally ill people are no more dangerous than is the general population. As the Sun points out, those who are dangerous will not be treated at this new facility.

I have a 66-year-old sister who lives alone in another state. She is divorced and has two grown children. She had worked most of her life as a recreation director in institutions for the elderly, but she is now retired. Since her mid-twenties, my sister has suffered from a brain disease called schizophrenia, but I would no more call her a schizophrenic than I might call someone else a heart attack. People are more than their disease.

Most people suffering from schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or simple depression are living in the community instead of in hospitals. As long as family and the state are supportive to keep patients on their meds, you will not see them wandering the streets as homeless people. For those who fear living next to people who have a mental illness, I can only say that you already do. What is more, someday you may find that someone with a mental illness is living in your own home.

JERRY BITTS