Opinion articles provide independent perspectives on key community issues, separate from our newsroom reporting.

Letters to the Editor

Help mentally ill visit their kids

Millions of mentally ill parents who have lost custody of their children will become even more depressed as the holidays draw closer.

I sincerely believe that a special team of people should make sure that the parents are united with their children during the holidays. It would be a free public service coordinated by mental health and social services. This would decrease the numbers of suicides and hospitalizations due to depression.

When asked, most of the children want to see their parents even if it’s only for a few hours. This is a win-win situation. Most of those children will most likely have some sort of mental illness, too. Every child deserves to have a happy experience with their parents so as to reinforce positive memories rather than negative ones.

Could you imagine the heartache you would feel if you where not allowed to spend your holiday with your children?

Guiget LaLonde, Coarsegold

This story was originally published December 16, 2015 at 7:26 AM with the headline "Help mentally ill visit their kids."

Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER