Since January of this year, there have been 57 school shootings in America. And since August when many students began returning to school, there have been five already, including the deadly and tragic shooting in Minneapolis.

There is a sign that continues to be proudly displayed on the front lawn of a house near Panama that reads, “God, Guns and Trump,” showing the cross, American flags and guns. This clearly illustrates why we have this growing issue in this country. Nowhere does it say anything about children or the sanctity of life in general.

Living on a farm in a rural area of Chautauqua County, I understand and appreciate the role that firearms play in our society, and why many Americans see any new restrictive measures as something that will impede on their rights. But the fact remains that the vast majority of Americans, nearly 80 percent, believe that we should have universal background checks and that assault-style weapons, often used in mass shootings, should be banned. A very small percentage of Americans think that guns should be banned altogether.

As a mental health activist, I am equally concerned that all people living with some type of mental illness–a majority of Americans at some point in their lives–are now being unfairly demonized and victimized for these shootings, and this will continue to stigmatize legitimate health concerns. In my work fighting for mental health equity for rural Americans across this country, I often talk about the fact that stigma is the reason that more Americans don’t seek help for their depression, anxiety, PTSD or bipolar disorder. They are ashamed and embarrassed and don’t want to be categorized alongside people who commit heinous acts like mass shootings.

I’m the first to admit that many shooters do indeed have some type of mental illness, coupled with inherent evil and complete disregard for life. In many cases, like the Minneapolis shooting, there were ample warning signs about this young white American-born man months ago, but our government was much too busy debating the merits of a new logo for Cracker Barrel.

Our government is complicit, because not only do they lack the courage to do the right thing regarding gun control, but they are now cutting essential services for those living with mental illness, during a time that they are more needed than ever. And people living in rural America, in areas like western New York, are disproportionately being impacted by these Draconian cuts.

Folks, we can’t have it both ways. If you want your children and grandchildren to attend school, or any public event for that matter, and return home alive, you must stand for more rigorous gun laws and for increased services for those living with mental illness.

And don’t let our government distract you with meaningless rhetoric about corporate logos or what we should be naming bodies of water.

Jeff Winton

Mayville

Founder of Rural Minds