A man kills his girlfriend in a murder-suicide. A young man with a past history of mental problems is charged with raping another family member. Police make multiple calls to a residence where a woman – apparently off her prescribed medication – is causing disturbances. A couple is charged with abusing six children over a period of years. Families separated because one partner or the other can’t shake a drug habit. Children dying in gun accidents or gun violence. Schools under threats of gun violence. An officer shoots and kills a woman who attacked him with a knife. A man jailed for beating a 5-year-old to death. An ex-employee’s threat locks down an area industry. That’s a brief summary of stories we’ve published, heard about or seen documented in local court records from Magnolia and other towns in the region during the past month. These are things happening to members of your family, your friends or your co-workers, perhaps even to you. Mental illness, spousal and child abuse, drug problems and gun violence have no social, racial, cultural or political boundaries. And since these problems affect all of us, we have a responsibility to each other and to ourselves to be part of the solution. When groups like Compassion’s Foundation and its women’s shelter ask for help, give it. When you are asked to mentor or help troubles individuals or families, do it. When you see a situation that demands intervention by law enforcement or social services, make the call. When people have become delusional, guild them toward specialists who can help. When it’s suggested that more mental health screening is needed in our schools and communities, don’t be dismissive. Because goodness knows what’s going to happen next month.