John Ebberts

While mental health issues can result in a tragedy like the one on Tuesday in which a Butler police officer fatally shot a man who stabbed the officer repeatedly, a local psychologist said those who suffer from mental health issues are not the demographic most likely to cause such a situation.

Cynthia Marshall, a Butler practitioner who has a doctorate degree in psychology, said the situation in which witnesses said John Ebberts, 35, was shot as a knife protruded from the officer's abdomen was particularly shocking.

“I am praying for the police officer and I hope he is OK,” Marshall said.

Statistics show that among the officers and civilians who are wounded or killed each year in a violent manner, the majority of perpetrators do not suffer from significant mental illness, Marshall said.

Marshall said one issue that prevents people from getting help with mental illness is a shortage of psychiatrists, who, aside from a physician assistant, are the only professionals who can prescribe the appropriate medication for significant mental illness.

“They are overwhelmed with clients,” Marshall said.

She said those with private insurance as well as participants in the state health system are waiting up to three months for an appointment with a psychiatrist.

“Many (psychiatrists) are aging and retiring,” Marshall said. “It's not that they're not compassionate, but they are overwhelmed right now.”

Ebberts' husband, Joe Torres, said in an interview on Tuesday that Ebberts had stopped taking his medication a few days before the incident, and the 911 caller that day reported Ebberts was behaving erratically and jumping in and out of traffic.Others have reported seeing Ebberts wearing a cape on Main Street and in Diamond Park, talking to himself and behaving strangely in the days leading up to the 7 a.m. incident.Marshall said it is “very common” for those with significant mental illness to go off their medication and begin behaving erratically.“That's one reason why it's important to have a counselor, therapists, regular appointments and a community,” she said, “because that's what helps those who need this kind of help.”She said when someone is exhibiting unusual behavior, a family member or someone close to that person should ask about the actions.“You say, 'You're talking to yourself. Do you think you're talking to someone?'” Marshall said.She wondered if anyone encouraged Ebberts to try to get help for his condition, such as calling the local Crisis Hotline.Torres would only say Ebberts stopped taking his medication “because he's John.” Ebberts was described by neighbors as a nice man when taking his medication.Ebberts' Facebook page has several images of the smoking Twin Towers in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001; the grim reaper sitting on a clock; the word “death” below Ebberts' name; several photos of dead celebrities; and many photos of Holocaust victims and carnage from various wars.

Marshall explained that it is important to know that mental illness cannot be cured.“Mental illness is not on and off,” she said. “It is something that a person has to regulate and live with.”Marshall said the coronavirus pandemic had a negative impact on many people with mental illness, as telehealth visits are not the same as in-person assessment.“It's important to be able to really see people in person, because there are a lot of cues you can miss (in an online visit),” she said.

Brandon Savochka, director of the county's human services department, said in emergency situations where the danger is potentially caused by an individual with mental illness, the Butler County Center for Community Resources Crisis Team is called to the scene.Savochka, who declined to divulge whether Crisis was called to the incident involving Ebberts, said the team is most often called if an individual is threatening to hurt themselves or others.In that case, police or family members can involuntarily commit the individual for psychiatric evaluation and treatment.But Crisis Team members are never sent to a scene before it has been secured by police officers.“If a call comes in to 911, the crisis worker is not going out before law enforcement,” Savochka said.He said Crisis Team members are often right behind police after assessing the scene.Savochka said the team responds 24 hours per day, seven days per week to help with calls involving mental health issues.A GoFundMe.com account has been set up to aid in the final expenses for Ebberts. The account had raised $805 of the $2,000 goal.Torres, who created the account, said any amount over the goal would be donated to an organization dedicated to raising awareness of mental illness.