To the editor:

Lawrence Memorial Hospital is not to blame for the problem of mental illness in this community. Even a facility funded by Bill Gates could not cure the problem.

Like Brianna Mitchell, my husband suffered from depression. I know about the suicide watches and the trips to the emergency room. Like Brianna, my husband became debilitated and unable to work. He was even too weak to take care of the disease that was making him weak. But blaming the system would not have solved his or Brianna’s problem.

Depression and bipolar disease are potentially fatal diseases and we need to treat them as such. Like cancer and Alzheimer’s disease, we need to look at new ways of attacking the disease. We need to develop new treatments, new solutions and perhaps eventually we can find a cure for mental illness.

On Feb. 2, at 7:30 a.m., there will be a study session at the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department. I hope everyone that attends does not come to blame LMH or to complain about the system. We already know we have a problem. Instead, I hope that everyone comes with ideas to solve, and perhaps eventually cure, the problem of mental health in this community.

Becky Lord,

Lawrence