One of the many dubious memes coming out of Friday’s shooting in Isla Vista, Calif., is that Elliot Rodger simply needed some tender, loving psychiatric care:
https://twitter.com/sj_morgan/status/470449461739945985
https://twitter.com/claire_valmonte/status/470522285346922496
https://twitter.com/Jason/status/470397962808340481
https://twitter.com/snaisy/status/470476951288041472
the US does not have a gun problem. The US has a lack of a mental health policy. Someone shd have gotten this kid help.
— Stormy duck porn star (@papacass84) May 25, 2014
Elliot Rodger's Retribution (Alleged Killers Vide…: http://t.co/Et0LSgiF8Y what a weener! Poor guy needed help.
— Whitney Vieker (@WVieker) May 25, 2014
Isla Vista shooting intensifies gun control debate. Where's the intense focus on mental health? http://t.co/67g06q03Bv
— Contessa Brewer (@contessabrewer) May 25, 2014
#tragic #MentalHealthMatters RT @brynmooser: So tragic, shooting @ UCSB. Time to restart the Mental Health discussion http://t.co/rgu4S00Vmw
— Sophia Bush (@SophiaBush) May 24, 2014
https://twitter.com/gotellabby/status/470386199526645760
https://twitter.com/Sunil_Gangarh/status/470370668736163840
https://twitter.com/DanniaBrown/status/470328370350534656
Aw, the poor baby just needed a little “help” — presumably from a mental health professional. Just one problem with that theory: In his manifesto, Rodger revealed that he was being seen by one of the best-known psychiatrists in Southern California as well as several therapists/counselors.
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Elliot Rodger's psychiatrist prescribed him the antipsychotic drug Risperidone, but he refused to take it. pic.twitter.com/PyTfCGHIQI
— Jimmy (@JimmyPrinceton) May 25, 2014
Aurora, Colo., alleged shooter James Holmes received psychiatric care prior to his shooting spree two years ago, as did Newtown, Conn., alleged shooter Adam Lanza.
Psychiatric care may be helpful in some instances, but clearly it is not some kind of miracle cure.
It is really hard to believe, but for once we agree with Michael Moore:
Don't fall into trap of mental health argument. We need better MH but this kid had the top shrinks. It didn't matter. It's a bigger problem.
— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) May 25, 2014
But we also agree with Larry Elder:
Yes, let the "mental health experts" give us advice. But while you play Sigmund Freud, ok if we defend ourselves?#IslaVistaShooting#NRA
— Larry Elder (@larryelder) May 25, 2014