Western Reader
The tragic incident that unfolded in Lewiston, Maine, where a man suspected of fatally shooting 18 people is still at large, has left the nation in shock. The suspect, Robert Card, a firearms instructor and a longtime Army reservist, began to experience severe mental health issues a few months prior to the incident. His family has revealed that these problems started when he was fitted with high-powered hearing aids.
Card’s sister-in-law, Katie Card, shared that Robert began to hear voices saying terrible things about him after he started using the new hearing aids. These voices were not real but were a product of his deteriorating mental health. He was tormented by these voices, which he believed were real and were humiliating him.
Maine mass shooter Robert Card began hearing voices in his head after being fitted with a new hearing aid and suffered a mental episode before he went on a shooting spree.
According to his sister-in-law, his family had alerted military and police officials that he was… pic.twitter.com/waIOdG2APU
— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) October 26, 2023
The family had noticed a rapid decline in his mental health. He was hearing voices that he had never heard before, and his mind was distorting them into something far more sinister. This led to an acute mental health crisis that culminated in the horrific mass shooting.
Despite the family’s awareness of his deteriorating mental state, it appears that adequate help was not provided. This raises serious questions about the state of mental health care in our country. Are we doing enough to identify and treat individuals who are suffering from severe mental health issues?
@StephenKing The shooter got a new hearing aid and started hearing people talk about him True Story
FBI Surrounds Home, Believed To Have Cornered Maine Mass Shooter https://t.co/KegVXASh2G via @Yahoo— mark c (@Livemusicstyle1) October 26, 2023
This tragic incident underscores the urgent need for comprehensive mental health reform. It is crucial that we prioritize early detection and intervention, ensuring that individuals like Robert Card receive the help they need before they reach a crisis point.
Moreover, this incident highlights the importance of family involvement in mental health care. Robert’s family was aware of his struggles, yet it seems their concerns were not adequately addressed. Families often have firsthand knowledge of a loved one’s mental health, and their insights can be invaluable in treatment and prevention strategies.
In conclusion, the Lewiston shooting is a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of untreated mental health issues. It is a call to action for policymakers, healthcare providers, and society at large to prioritize mental health care and ensure that individuals suffering from mental health disorders receive the help they need.
In the wake of this tragedy, our thoughts are with the victims and their families. However, it is crucial that we also use this as an opportunity to push for meaningful change in our approach to mental health care. Only then can we hope to prevent such incidents in the future.
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