Mental Illness & Firearms: Are We Safe in the Valley? - Valley News Live - KVLY/KXJB - Fargo/Grand Forks

Mental Illness & Firearms: Are We Safe in the Valley?

  The debate over gun control has already started, following the Connecticut school shooting.

  That debate also includes issues of mental illness and firearms. Do we have the necessary regulations in place to protect us right here in the Valley?

  Dave Sena, the Directory of the Grand Forks Mission says they deal with a lot of people that have mental issues.

  Sena says current regulations make it difficult to commit someone or have them get treatment, unless they want it.  But, some court officials say, they believe enough laws are in place in North Dakota to deal with mental illness.

    Assistant States Attorney, Haley Wamstad says the problem is too many federal regulations dealing with confidentiality. .

Haley Wamstad, Asst. States Attorney: "I think there are concerns the treatment providers can't always communicate with each other about a particular patient, because of the protection of medical information."

  The Directory of Northeast Human Services says yes, there are people who fall through the cracks. But, Kate Kenna says North Dakota is doing a good job in dealing with mental health issues and keeping our schools and communities safe.

  Kenna says many people are confusing folks who have mental illness, with people who are violent.

Kate Kenna, Northeast Human Service Center: "The truth is that most people who are mentally ill are not violent. And most people who are violent are not mentally ill. Usually, mentally ill people are victims, not perpetrators of violence."

  Kenna says she believes a big key to keeping our schools and communities safe, lies within our own families.

  She says people who notice disturbing changes in family members, need to contact mental health providers or law enforcement for guidance.

  Jody Thompson, Assistant Principal for Grand Forks   schools says, he talked with school counselors today, and they're comfortable with current legislation regarding mental health issues.

  Current law allows school counselors to notify law enforcement or mental health officials… if they believe a student may harm themselves or others.