Letter: Proposed mental health policy a senseless move

Editor,

I was appalled to read of a proposed policy to involuntarily withdraw students from UNM if they are deemed dangerous to themselves or others.

Clearly, this flies in the face of common sense. To begin with, school may be the one distraction from such individual's problems that keeps them afloat and occupied in a productive way.

Secondly, is it not to the advantage of everyone that these people are identified and assisted? If this policy is passed, it will simply keep these people in need from coming forward for fear of being penalized. This in turn assures that these people will remain among us, unidentified and without help.

Although Carol Wagner-Adams said, "We are not a mental health hospital," deeming someone dangerous and removing them from school is clearly a diagnosis with penalties.

Counseling and Therapy Services should review their title, and provide what their name implies. If they actually implement this ludicrous policy, I suggest they change their name to See No Evil, Hear No Evil Services.

Larry Crum

UNM staff