Cartoon was offensive to those suffering from mental illness disorders

Dear Editor: As a proud Town resident, I regularly read the Massapequa Post. The Wed., Sept. 2 edition had a political cartoon on Page 4 that is highly offensive. It depicts two people arguing over the cause of gun violence. A third person enters the conversation screaming "mental illness" and goes on to insinuate that the mentally ill are the cause of gun violence and "senseless killings."

As a mental health provider, I find this cartoon to be highly offensive. It perpetuates the violent stigma on the mentally ill.

I'm also a proud member of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, which fights hard against the ongoing stigma. The media is very careful not to offend all different groups of people but for some reason when it comes to the mentally ill, they feel it is okay to poke fun.

ere are many misconceptions and misunderstandings about this population of people. I felt as if it was my place to request a more sensitive approach in the future. I'd rather not have my own Town newspaper perpetuating the stigma that so many people are fighting against.

ank you for your time and understanding on this important matter.

Brooke Cassidy, ATR-BC-LCAT e writer is a licensed and registered boardcertified creative arts therapist