SYRACUSE -- As families in Newtown and across the country try to understand what led up to last week's tragic shooting, there has been an increased focus on mental health care.
Psychologist Dr. Robert Gregory from Upstate Medical University in Syracuse said he hopes coverage of the tragedy will inspire others seek help if they need it.
"Certainly if it encouraged people to get help where they felt more comfortable given that there's such a clear justification. Often its hard to get people feeling justified in seeing a mental health professional," said Gregory.
Dr. Alice Honig, a psychology professor at Syracuse University, says parents should watch for social troubles even in very young children - and not be afraid to reach out for help.
"Just be more open to things that could be distressing, might be hurting a child's life to have friends or to be getting along better with others or something that could hurt your own child if it keeps up," said Honig.
On the Today Show this morning, a mother spoke out about her own son's anger and mental illness -- and what she's afraid his behavior could lead to. The mother wrote a blog post that has received a lot of attention since it was posted it this past weekend.
"Every time I hear about a mass shooting, I think about my son and I wonder if someday I'll be that mom."
The mother asked for more understanding of mental illness in children and for more mental health care that can help.
"In the wake of another national tragedy it's easy to talk about guns, but it's time to talk about mental illness."
