Opinion: Who’s responsible for a mentally ill brother’s actions?

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Below is a note from Cheryl Meier, whose sister Marcia Meier wrote a Times Op-Ed article Sunday about their 52-year-old schizophrenic brother’s worsening medical and financial woes, including creditors threatening to collect debts by illegally garnishing his Supplemental Security Income checks. Many of the reader comments on the article were supportive, though several offered criticism. A few readers suggested that Marcia Meier wasn’t serious about taking responsibility for her brother’s debts and actions, and some expressed safety concerns for her brother’s trailer park neighbors. Cheryl Meier writes:

It seems that my sister’s column in Sunday’s Times really struck a chord with many people -- some supportive and some not so. I wish to clarify some important issues. Our family has always supported my brother, both emotionally and financially, as much as he will allow. He is an adult with legal rights, including the right to refuse our help. We have attempted to assist him with all of his issues and been rebuffed. The Santa Barbara County mental health department has been enormously helpful through the years. My brother has never threatened his neighbors or anyone outside of our immediate family -- he owns no weapons. He keeps to himself in the trailer park and although a bit of a pack rat, he is clean and does not intrude on the adjoining properties.

My sister is an easy target for his occasional rages because she lives close by. Her frustration is justified. It would be helpful to remember that outside criticism is hurtful; please count your blessings!