Nicholas Layman case puts new focus on youth and mental illness
A St. John's psychiatrist says there is help for families dealing with mental illness, but the challenges can be difficult to overcome — challenges that become more complicated when the court is involved.
Nicholas Layman is set to appear in court on Thursday following almost two months of psychiatric assessment, but his family wonders how many others are struggling with mental health with their children.
The police say that Layman, 19, ran onto the soccer field in Topsail on Sept. 25 and stabbed an 11-year-old boy in the neck.
Prior to the stabbing, Layman's family had tried to get him mental health help, but he didn't want to go to the doctor, and he didn't want to take his medication. That's when the family says his downward spiral began.
The week leading up to the stabbing, Layman wasn't sleeping. The family said they later found out that insomnia was a sign of an oncoming episode.
Dr. Nazir Ladha said over 60 per cent of mental health patients don't take their medications.
"It's a very difficult situation for the families, and I very much empathize with the families, because often times an adolescent is a difficult person to deal with, especially an adolescent that has a psychiatric illness," he said.
Layman is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday.
He is charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault and assault with a weapon.
With files from Krissy Holmes