Stop stigmatizing mental illness and other letters to the editors

Stop Stigmatizing Mental Illness

Reactions from today's headlines about Ebola are reminiscent of the mid-'80s when HIV and AIDS first made headlines. Because so few facts were known, victims were stigmatized and alienated.

Mental illness has been around for centuries, yet it's still stigmatized. Consider these facts: Mental illness is an illness just like diabetes, hypertension and other chronic conditions. Most mental illnesses, including bipolar and schizophrenia, are caused by a brain disorder. One in five people will have a mental illness diagnosis in their lifetime; one in 10 struggle with serious mental illness. The economic cost of untreated mental illness is $100 billion due to unemployment, incarceration, homelessness, suicide and substance abuse.

The more you know, the more open conversation can take place and the more people can be helped. A first step might be contacting us at the Mental Health Cooperative at 423-697-5952. Let's put an end to the undeserved stigma about mental illness.

Dr. Frank Drummond


Reject Red Bank's 'just-say-no' pair

Just say "no" seems to be the theme of two Red Bank commissioners. Floy Pierce and Rick Causer said "no" to 286 residents when a developer attempted to get residential lots on Ashmore Avenue rezoned to multi-family to gain access for building 300 apartments. Pierce and Causer just said "no" to appointing a commissioner for District 3 when a vacancy occurred, leaving the district without representation for nine months. They just said "no" to approving the revised zoning ordinance, which has not had a comprehensive review in 40 years. They just said "no" to participating in the two candidates' forums, making themselves unavailable to citizens. They just said "no" to approving a grant to provide iPad technology for police and refused to answer when asked at the meeting why they had voted "no." "Just say no" worked well when Nancy Reagan proposed it, but it is not working now. As a lifelong resident of Red Bank, I have seen the city go through many changes. I see opportunity now for growth and quality development if we elect commissioners who will say "yes." I am voting for John Roberts, Terry Pope and Ed LeCompte.

Becky Browder, Red Bank


No justifiable reason to pass

Amendment 1 Hamilton County commissioners voted 5-2 to support Amendment 1 for abortion resolution, and although their decision makes no impact on the actual passage of Amendment, I am exercising my right as a Chattanooga resident to show my total astonishment in the activity of our commissioners. In today's time, a woman should be left to make her own decision about her health with input only from her family, her faith and her doctor. Passing Amendment 1 and giving the power to the government to make such a personal and private decision for a woman is completely irrational and sexist. It is sad that if this were an amendment to decline the right to bear arms, the decision of our commissioners would be substantially different. At the end of the day, Amendment 1 is not about being pro-life or pro-choice. It is about protecting women's rights free from any government intrusion. Whether it's to maintain exceptions in tragic situations, stop government interference or to protect women's privacy, no one should have any justifiable reason to pass Amendment 1.

Nick Trujillo


Counseling unnecessary in women's decision

It is interesting that there is no counterpart to Amendment 1 which would insert the government into the personal decision-making of a man who is contemplating doing something that would affect the lives of thousands of innocent children, such as contributing money to the campaign fund of an official who would cut food programs and medical care for children. No one assumes that man needs a stranger sent by the government to counsel him on the way he uses his money, even though that decision will, in the opinion of many, cause children to suffer. No woman who is in a tragic situation needs intrusion at that time. Women are fully capable of making their own decisions and determining for themselves the direction of their lives. It is deeply insulting and patronizing to assume otherwise. I urge every woman, regardless of her feelings about abortion, to go to the polls and take back their autonomy. In China, the government has control over whether a woman carries a pregnancy to term, and that government uses it to force women to end pregnancies. Government control over bodies is always bad.

Lisa J. Scott Dayton, Tenn.


Support wine sales in grocery stores on Nov. 4

When the state legislature passed a bill to change Tennessee's outdated liquor laws, that was only the first step to legalizing the sale of wine in grocery stores. Now we need voters to pass the referendum in Chattanooga, East Ridge, Red Bank, Collegedale, Signal Mountain and Lakesite on Tuesday to make this a reality. Look for the referendum section on your ballot and check FOR the legal sale of wine in retail food stores. This change isn't just about convenience for shoppers; it's also about economic development. I've adopted Chattanooga as my home, and I want to see it thrive. We all know why some big discount stores chose Georgia over Tennessee. Level the playing field for our city, and vote for wine in grocery stores on Election Day!

April G. Counts


Hazlewood has it all for District 27

Residents of District 27 have an opportunity to elect a proven leader in Patsy Hazlewood this November. My wife and I have had the privilege of knowing Patsy for many years and have always been impressed by her enthusiastic desire to serve others. Her resume highlights the depth of her business experience, knowledge of economic development and a real commitment to servant leadership, as evidenced by her countless hours of volunteer work. Patsy's superior work ethic, conservative values and keen business acumen will provide solid, effective leadership in Nashville. A woman of impeccable integrity, Patsy will serve us well. For proven leadership, dependability and noble character, vote for Patsy as your representative in District 27.

Frank and Tracey Peel


'I voted' sticker sends the wrong message

I am from Athens, Tenn., and went to vote the other day when I noticed the sticker you get once you voted. It states "I VOTED" but this time it had a name - Tre Hargett, secretary of state for Tennessee - on it. I do not care if this guy is Republican or Democrat but this has no place in a polling place. It is all propaganda for Mr. Hargett's future if he runs for public office - a great way to get his name in front of every voter in the state. Propaganda is a very ugly word, but let's see if Mr. Hargett runs for office in the future.

Larry Eaton Athens, Tenn.


Vote yes on 1: Protect women

Vote "yes" on Amendment 1. Abortion is big business. An irony in this proposed legislation is that the very people who want regulation in hair and nail salons, even bake sales, do not want regulation in this arena. Vote "yes" on Amendment 1 for reasonable legislative and legal regulations for abortion procedures and clinics. Vote "yes" on Amendment 1 for a waiting period between the abortion presentation and the procedure. Vote "yes" on Amendment 1 to help reinstate informed consent for teenage women. Every woman should have the right to be protected, and that is what a "yes" vote for Amendment 1 is all about.

Gary McDonald Cleveland, Tenn.

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