Letter to Ed. regarding Paul Merrill’s 3/18 column

I was disgusted by Paul Merrill’s sarcastic, ignorant comments, expressed in March’s 18th’s DFP, regarding the trial of Andrea Yates. Merrill is not only appallingly crass and unempathetic, he also spreads his misinformed “knowledge” of mental illness with self-assured arrogance. This is exactly the sort of attitude that serves to further marginalize the mentally ill and hinder their recoveries.

Living with a mentally ill spouse is a frustrating, heartrending situation for any individual, even those who are not preoccupied with the responsibility of being the sole provider for a family with five young children. Mentally ill adults cannot be babysat by their employed spouses — even the childrens’ grandmother and their primary caregiver could not predict that Andrea could commit such heinous actions. Furthermore, health insurance providers as well as doctors aim to release patients from inpatient treatment as quickly as possible, knowing that even a few days of hospitalization exceeds the budget of a middle class household. Many insurance companies do not offer sufficient coverage for psychiatric care, despite the fact that mental health services are just as vital to one’s health as, for instance, maintaining low blood pressure. It is not uncommon for such sick patients as Mrs. Yates to recieve dozens of conflicting diagnoses from different doctors and to try scores of medications before finding the correct form of treatment. Recovery from such a crippling illness as schizophrenia is a long, difficult route, for both the patient and his or her loved ones.

Lastly, Merrill’s cheap shot as Andrea Yates’ appearance was entirely inappropriate. Merrill’s mocking attitude is a perfect example of the reason why so many people affected by mental illness are afraid to seek out treatment and advocate mental patients’ rights.

Amy Chmielewski CAS ’05