Discrimination mental illness discussed.

There has been word of people around the country, including in the Twin Tiers, who are dealing with mental health challengers facing increased discrimination and suspicion following numerous reports of violent acts involving perpetrators suffering from mental illness.

Appearing Saturday, January 30 on the weekly, local public affairs show, Southern Tier Close Up, director of the Mental Health Association of the Southern tier, Keith Leahey talks about the very unfair treatment many struggling with mental challenges are facing in the wake of intense media scrutiny.

Leahey says, more often than not, people with mental health issues are the victims, not the actors.

Public perception of mental health and mental illness has always been a challenging issue and the struggle has not gotten better with focus immediately turning to a person's mental condition each time a violent act is in the news.

Leahey urges employers, residents and public officials to become more educated and aware about differences between conditions that are being treated and managed and ones that have the potential to pose a threat.

Much of that information can be found by contacting the Mental health Association of the Southern Tier at (607) 771-8888.

At the close of this week's recording, Leahey commented that discussion went to several areas where many are afraid to go but need to be faced and addressed.

Southern Tier Close Up airs Saturdays at 12:10 p.m. on News Radio 1290 WNBF.