Who do we treat more humanely...the mentally ill or our pets?...

I couldn’t resist this article.  Although it isn’t from the United States, I think the question it raises is very interesting and pertinent.  The writer poses the question whether the mentally ill are treated worse than animals are in her community.  It is obviously her opinion is that it is the mentally ill that receive the worst treatment.  Here is the link to the article: http://bit.ly/14aaP71 .  I found the question fascinating.  Of course, I am not advocating that abused animals should be ignored.  But I am questioning whether it is humane to treat the mentally ill worse than animals.  And looking at the attention that is usually paid to the needs of the mentally ill, her concern is valid.  What is your opinion?  Do you see the mentally ill as being treated inhumanely?

Early in my career, I learned something about values.  And how we show our values by the way we behave.  Not by what we verbalize.  So, when I see someone talking about being ‘loving’ to other human beings as a core of their religious belief, I expect to see the same in their behavior.  Your behavior shows more about you than your words.  The saying is that words are cheap.  And they are.  How do we show our concern and love for others?  Through how we treat them.  Now, people can legitimately argue about whether the state is the proper place to provide support.   But it is clear that policy flows from the top down.  And the top is the people and what they expect out of government.  And we don’t seem to have any willingness to actually deal with the issues that the mentally ill face. I think that this is the basis of the writer’s concern about the mentally ill and their treatment.  We verbalize more support for abused pets than for the mentally ill.  And we put more energy into the care of abused pets than we do for people.  Weak human beings are ignored.  The mentally ill are vilified.  We pour our love into caring for pets.  Not so much into being concerned with sick and (frequently) defenseless human beings.  We are showing our values very clearly by our behavior.  

Now, I love dogs.  And I love cats.  I have a hard time going to pet shops because I want to take them all home.  But I also realize that there are people out there who need my help and concern.  Some have mental illnesses.  And of course, you know that I show my concern.  By publicizing the facts as I see them regarding mental illness.  By putting myself out there as an advocate.  By showing my support to my friends and loved ones dealing with mental health issues.  So, what do YOU do?  I would love to hear.  I'm looking forward to our conversation.