“You must know that whatever measure of comfort we can provide, we will provide. Whatever portion of sadness that we can share with you to ease this heavy load, we will gladly bear it. Newtown, you are not alone.”
President Barack Obama

This previous Friday, Sandy Hook Elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut endured an unthinkable act of violence when lone gunman Adam Lanza murdered twenty innocent schoolchildren and six adult employees before turning the gun on himself. Although the school regularly practiced safety drills with mental preparation of their staff and students for any unforeseen threats, nothing could ever train for such a horrific carnage. The world watched in shock as news agencies reported the growing number of casualties, somehow trying to understand how could this possibly happen?

Certainly more answers to the questions regarding Lanza’s overall mental health will be revealed in the coming weeks. While he supposedly suffered from Asperger’s syndrome which is a form of autism, individuals with Asperger’s are not usually prone for violence. There is still speculation as to whether Lanza was treated by a mental health counselor, or had even been formally treated for Asperger’s. The person with the most insight into his mind and mental stability was Mary Lanza, his mother. He shot her multiple times in the face the morning before he drove to the school continuing his bloody rampage.

Once at the school, Lanza met some heroic administrators and teachers who sacrificed their lives trying to protect their precious students. Their bravery radiated their mental toughness and preparedness for facing any adversary pursuing harm against their children. They died for their bravery, but many of their students will celebrate Christmas with their families this season because of their teacher’s personal sacrifice.

Now begins the arduously long recovery for the citizens of Newtown. Those surviving students and staff need the support of mental health counselors as well as family, friends and neighbors. No one in this small idyllic town is unaffected by this evil attack. This could be Every School, in Any Town, USA. Through this recovery process it is important to look for possible solutions to prevent it from every occurring again. Lessening the stigma associated with seeking mental health support is one small facet to insure that individuals needing treatment feel comfortable to obtain it. Opening frank discussions in the media offers to reverse the mindset of keeping mental illness hidden or the elephant in the room that no one speaks about.

While this tragedy warrants the importance of proper mental health support, it does in no means condemn those that seek treatment as possible candidates of such a horrific event. Psychologists will be studying Adam Lanza and his journey towards this malicious reign of terror for a very long time. It is imperative for people to remember that those with Asperger’s or mental illness are not to be feared but rather supported.

Words appear weak to truly convey the deep grieving of our nation, and condolences sent to the families of the 20 children, the families of the 6 adults the Lanza family and citizens of Newtown.

Newtown, you are not alone.