The metronomic thumping of water pipes in the Morrell Meeting Room of Curtis Memorial Library sounded like a heartbeat and set a somber tone for a forum held Tuesday night to discuss issues of mental health and gun control.

The forum was organized in light of the recent shooting massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., that left 20 children dead.

Rep. Mattie Daughtry, DBrunswick, moderated the discussion, which drew more than 50 community members.

A brainstorming session led to a musical reflection by clarinetist Brad Terry. A moment of silence ensued, then a microphone was passed for community members to share their thoughts, questions and ideas.

Aaron St. Jean, who represented Anti-pharm of Maine spoke first and raised issues of mental illness, claiming that studies show “smart people are more likely to be depressed.”

Adam Lanza, the 20-yearold shooter in the Newtown attack, is reported to have been treated for mental illness, and St. Jean said overreliance on pharmaceuticals has caused increased violence among the mentally ill in the United States.

Julie Pease, a psychiatrist in Brunswick who writes prescriptions for psycho-therapeutic medication said, “I decided to come tonight because I was afraid the conversation would turn to ‘those people with mental illness.’”

Andrea Loeffler, a pediatrician at Martin’s Point, added that mental health is a central issue of concern for her. “We need better mental health services. I don’t just mean for mentally ill people. I mean for all people,” Loeffler said.

But for others, issues of gun control topped their list of concerns.

Steve Tibbetts, who introduced himself as Daughtry’s father, said, “I hunted when I was younger and after so many dead animals, I quit. My neighbor practices target shooting with a semi-automatic and when he’s out there, you see even my chickens run and hide.”

Frank Strasburg agreed, but questioned why we live in such a violent society. “It is about guns, but it’s not just about guns.”

Community members arrived at more questions than solutions.

“I think we should be angry,” Peg Bonarrigo of Orr’s Island remarked, refocusing the conversation on the shattering loss of 20 firstgraders.

“We all thought that we had a really civil, really respectful conversation. I’m pleased that this is something people want to see continue,” Tamsin Kemos said.

She and Daughtry took contact information for those who wish to be part of an ongoing dialogue about gun control, mental health and school support, hoping to hold other forums in the future.

rshelly@timesrecord.com

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