The one positive is that – as so often – courage and a willingness to help others were also on display.

There is no way to explain such violence and tragedy. It’s sad that things like this happen in the world.

It seems violence against women just continues to grow, no matter what we do. I hope someone finds a solution soon

I told my kids that they’d hear a lot about it because it is such a rare thing to happen in Australia.

There needs to be more help for people with Mental Health issues at the moment the waiting list to see a Professional is crazy and you are more then likely have to pay to see them.

From what I’ve heard the guy was diagnosed with schizofrenia at age 17.
There’s no real cure for schizofrenia, but can be effective treated with medication. However due delusions and hallucinations it’s quite often hard to motivate to take medication consistantly for those suffering schizofrenia

I believe that the act was a senseless act. I also believe that the perpetrator was very ill. You are correct when you say “Mental illness is cited as a reason, but it falls short as an excuse.”
I don’t believe that anyone is trying to excuse this person or their terrible actions. However, I believe that mental illness can explain a little as to why this happened.
The ramifications of this violence will be felt by many for lifetimes to come. There was so much trauma and loss caused.
Additionally to this it still astonishes me how little compassion is shown for people who are mentally ill. When someone has schizophrenia, the very thing that makes them a calm, nice and gentle person is the bit that is sick. They lose all ability for rational thinking. I have first hand experience with the twisted logic that comes to be, from a person experiencing a mental health crisis. We will never know the thinking behind this person’s tragic choices, but they were not made with a brain that was working rationally. We can not expect people with a mental illness to think with a healthy mind. An analogy of this would be asking someone with a broken leg to walk unaided and without plaster or pins. The very part of their body that is needed to walk, does not work. It is the same with mental illness. Schizophrenia is an awful disease. Quite often the person suffering with it will not accept that they are unwell. Therefore treatment is hard to administer and the sicker they become, the less likely they will be open to treatment, including medications. We, as a society, have a long way to go in treating and destigmatising mental illness. Nobody wants these tragedies to occur.

On the moment we understand a sick act like this, we are a bit sick ourselves…

Children do need an explanation that is age appropriate and sensitive and questions need to be answered.

Its ok to tell your Children that you dont understand either.
Its way too complex to explain mental health issues to small children. That this man needed more help and he needed to stay on his medication. Its a very tough thing. When I was a child this man would have been locked up and kept away from others. Was that the right thing to do? Would that have been best for him? Would it have been best for the majority? Back then It was refered to as the Mental Institute…other wise known as The Nut House. It must have been a horrible place for those kept there. Now a days we are more understanding of mental illness but some how we need to work out how to support these people more and in turn keep the innocent safe. I have no idea how we manage this.

A very senseless and tragic incident indeed. I’m glad there were no guns involved as well, it would have made it worse

We need to stay strong on our gun laws, even tighter than they are now, and never go the way of the US.
The children there have to live through drills about what to do if an active shooting takes place. Our children here are shielded from that at least. I can’t imagine the fear we would instill in them if this had to start here.
How much you tell you kids depends on their age but I wouldn’t go into too much detail.
We all saw the bravery and the caring instinct of people kick in. I think any of us, even those without children of their own, would naturally try to protect a child nearby if he/she was alone. We’d be hiding them, calming them, protecting them.

Although this is horrific, I still believe our strong gun laws prevent worse tragedies. And I acknowledge that a lot of bravery was shown by a lot of people.

It is sad, but you might be taking it too personally. Maybe switch off from the news and social media for a few weeks for your health?
I am grateful for the police officer who was nearby, the security guard who sacrificed himself to save others, those who fought against him, and our gun laws. I am grateful that Ash’s death had meaning in that she got her baby to safety. Mostly, I am grateful that people do not justify this like they do with so much these days.

There are no words for how devastating this event is. I can’t stop thinking about it. Taking your baby to the grocery store or shopping centre is something we have all done, and do, to get out of the house and experience something in the day. I can’t fathom targeting women like this. So many incredible people stepped in to help and protect others, including the new Australian who lost his life while in the role of a security guard.
I hate the discourse some Americans bring to these events, as if having access to guns is a good thing. We’ve seen countless examples where it’s not the case.
I hope to see a future where mental health is properly funded in this country. The issues aren’t going away, but we can try to make help available for everyone. Our Medicare needs to be expanded, our GP’s supported.
That beautiful little baby will grow up knowing their mother loved them more than words can describe, and protected them fiercely. It shouldn’t be the reality that any of these families have to face. It’s so utterly heartbreaking.