Walls, immigration, emails, "wrong", blah, blah, blah. The same topics are discussed every debate. Both parties have their own stances on different topics facing our country. While these issues are important, there is one matter that is not discussed in these debates; the growing epidemic of mental health.
Mental illnesses are a silent epidemic. People who suffer usually suffer in silence. Statistics show that about 26% of Americans age 18 and older suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder every year. That's about 1 in 4 people. Only 20% of the people that suffer from mental illness get the help that they need.
With an epidemic that is so prevalent in this country, why isn't there more conversation about it? Especially with such a big stage, like the presidential debate.
Clinton's team have said in the past that Hillary has the goal to make mental health an integral part of her campaign, but we haven't heard much from her in regards to what she will do for those that suffer from mental health issues.
Trump's stance is based on a very big myth: mental illness causes crime. To him, mental health sufferers are "sickos". In August, he said, "You're going to have people that are mentally ill and they're going to come thru the cracks and they're going to do things that people will not even believe are possible"
It is clear that neither of these candidates have taken a real stance on what they are going to do to combat mental illness. This is a topic that should be discussed at a presidential debate. Mental health sufferers are people that the next president is going to be representing, and in turn they should be represented well.
This epidemic will continue to worsen unless something is done. The president should be a leader for those that need him or her. A debate is the perfect platform to show how they are going to represent all of the people of the country, mental illness or not.
One of the most prevalent mental illnesses is PTSD in veterans. Thousands of active duty members of the military come home or are discharged with PTSD. In turn, many of them suffer from severe depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. Due to their struggle with PTSD, many veterans have trouble finding jobs, turn to alcohol, and drugs to make their condition manageable. Looking at them, most people don't realize that they are, indeed, veterans. These are the "sickos" that Mr. Trump talks about. He stands for the idea of helping veterans, but what does that really mean?
On the other hand, Hillary Clinton believes in giving veterans the thanks that they deserve. What does that entail? It seems that all we're getting from these candidates are generalizations, and vague answers to questions that we as Americans need real answers too.
In my opinion, both candidates need to start by saying how they are going to help those with mental illnesses. Will they make more resources available? Offer support systems? Curriculum in schools? Therapists available for those who need them in a work environment?
So far, we have heard very little of what these two powerful candidates are going to do to help combat one of the most rapidly growing illnesses facing our country.
We deserve answers and support. We deserve to be represented.
