HOUSTON – The recent shooting that took place at Lakewood Church has left the Houston community and many around the world marked by a sense of tragedy.
A woman, Genesse Moreno, was the shooter, endangering her own son.
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The crime has many wondering how can a person get to this point?
According to court records, Moreno was diagnosed with Schizophrenia, a mental condition that leaves individuals believing things that are not real with some even experiencing bursts of erratic behavior.
According to John Hopkins Medicine, approximately 1% (3 million) Americans are affected by schizophrenia.
Walli Carranza, Moreno’s former mother-in-law, said she tried to alert authorities about Moreno’s condition to get her the proper help but that authorities failed to act.
Being a sensitive topic, it’s important to remove the stigma attached to mental health.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated 1 in 5 U.S. adults (58 million) live with a mental illness, with depression and anxiety being the most common.
In the case of Moreno, more could have been done to prevent her from obtaining a weapon and receiving the correct assistance.
Can red flag laws help prevent this?
Texas lacks a so-called “red flag” law, which generally allows law enforcement or family members to ask a judge to order the seizure or surrender of guns from someone who is deemed dangerous, often because of mental health concerns or threats of violence.
Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzales said those in law enforcement need to be given tools to keep deadly weapons out of the hands of people who pose a threat to their communities.
Interventions, such as a wellness check or Involuntary Commitment, could greatly benefit individuals with severe mental health conditions, Gonzalez said.
“While there may not be a simple solution, there are options to consider: We need more robust mental health treatment that’s more readily available. Families need more awareness and understanding about the process known as Involuntary Commitment. This civil procedure can be difficult, but it may also be the ultimate lifesaving choice,” Gonzalez said.
In 2018, the sheriff said his agency partnered with the 280th family court to establish a gun surrender program. It requires defendants charged with domestic violence offenses to temporarily give up their weapons to deputies until their legal cases are resolved.
“The more we understand and the more solutions we can work on, the safer we can make our communities,” Gonzalez said.
When dealing with a person that has schizophrenia, or any other mental condition, it’s important to educate oneself on the symptoms of the condition, set realistic expectations when dealing with that person, and empower them to live a meaningful and healthy life.
It is a daily battle that can not be fought alone.
If you or someone you know needs help, feel free to contact the Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD, 24/7 crisis line, at 713-970-7000.