NEWS, COMMENTARY, AND ARTS BY PSYCHIATRIC SURVIVORS, MENTAL HEALTH PEERS, AND OUR FAMILIES
VOL. XXXIV NO. 1
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FROM THE HILLS OF VERMONT
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SINCE 1985
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SUMMER 2019
Gun Debate Focuses on Suicide
MONTPELIER – The legislature passed a bill in May that requires a 24-hour waiting period for purchase of a handgun after a debate that included questions about whether there was a
Governor Phil Scott vetoed the bill in June, saying that the state should “prioritize strategies that address the underlying causes of violence and suicide” and asking the legislature to work All ages: Distribution of leading means of suicide with him “to strengthen our All ages: Distribution of leading means of suicide 2011-2015 mental health system.” (As of the All ages: Distribution of leading means of suicide 2011-2015 Counterpoint press date, he had 2011-2015 not indicated whether he would sign the bill into law; his veto 7.3% Firearmswas announced before the online 7.3% edition was revised and posted.) Firearms 7.3% Dr. Rebecca Bell, a pediatric Suffocation Firearms 18.1% Suffocation critical care physician from the 18.1% University of Vermont Medical Poisoning Suffocation Poisoning Center, told legislators that data 18.1% Falls/Other show that in 2017, Vermont’s Poisoning 54.4% Falls/Other firearm suicide rate was 1.5 times 54.4% Falls/Other higher than the national firearm 20.1% 54.4% suicide rate and nearly three 20.1% times higher than that of other 20.1% Northeastern states. Vermont Department of Health “Since 2000, nearly 1,000 Vermont residents have died by ar olds: 59% firearms deaths; 20 – 24 year olds: 50% firearms deaths to suicide, as well the year degreeolds: to which suicide, including more than 100 people s: 59% right firearms deaths; 20as– 24 50% gun firearms deaths suicide is preventable. under age 25,” she said. Bell also cited data that ds: 59% firearms deaths; 20 – 24 year olds: 50% firearms deaths The suicide death of a 23-year-old Essex man showed that suicide attempts using a gun were in December created momentum for the new law overwhelmingly more likely to result in death after his parents asked in his obituary that readers than other means. write to their legislators with the message, “In “The ‘inevitability myth’ that says a person honor of Andrew R. Black, we ask that you work with suicidal ideations will just find a way is for legislation that imposes a reasonable waiting particularly damaging,” Bell testified to the period between firearm purchase and possession Senate Judiciary Committee. “Ninety percent of to provide a cooling off period to guard against those who survive near-lethal suicide attempts impulsive acts of violence.” do not go on later to die by suicide.”
Sen. Joe Benning was quoted in news reports as saying that the Essex death was tragic but he was not convinced that a waiting period would have saved Black. He and others raised concerns about whether the constitutional protections of the right to selfdefense outweighed other considerations. During the Senate committee debate, several senators questioned “whether it’s the responsibility of state government to intervene if a person decides to end their own life,” according to a report in Seven Days. “I know this may sound, at first blush, as if it’s coming out of left field, but the fundamental right of an individual to control their bodies and make decisions about their bodies is something I’m very attuned to,” Benning was quoted as saying. “And as crazy as this may sound, if I decide to commit suicide, what right does the state of Vermont have to try to intercede because somebody around this table feels, ‘Well, that’s tragic’?” Benning also pointed out that it’s unknown how many suicides-by-firearm in Vermont took place within 24 hours of the gun’s purchase, the report said. “We have a speculative bill that might reduce suicides, and that’s the hope,” Benning said. Similar concerns were raised in discussion in the House. Rep. Patrick Brennan, a gun rights advocate, said he might have been inclined to vote for a bill that could save lives but hadn’t seen any evidence (Continued on page 5)
Budget Inches Up
MONTPELIER – The legislature approved a budget this year that increased mental health funding in two areas: additional funding for community mental health agencies and the cost of opening a new 12-bed Level 1 unit at the Brattleboro Retreat. Legislators reversed a decision by the administration to cut off support for the training and support of Wellness Recovery Action Plans, a peer-led program, and criticized the governor’s budget for failing to meet its own stated policy goals to increase communitybased supports. There were no new peer programs funded. The increases to agencies included funds to create special support for up to 12 individuals with “complex needs” to help them succeed in the community after hospitalization. Legislators approved a $1.5 million increase for those supports, almost triple the governor’s proposed increase of $535,000 for six new community program beds. Two other items were not in the (Continued on page 4)
FDA Orders Labeing For ECT Use
10 The Arts12
by Neil Muse, Burlington
Social Inequity
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