Spotting Trouble

For mental health professionals, the Cho case also provides a grim reminder of the limitations of their ability to help the mentally ill from harming themselves--and others. "What happened at Virginia Tech is an incredibly rare, rare event that's the kind of thing that could elude the most comprehensive and collaborative and well-orchestrated set of services," says Ben Locke, cofounder of the Center for the Study of College Student Mental Health at Penn State University. "There are people out there, students and nonstudents, who will not accept services offered to them, and don't do anything [illegal] prior to a certain event."

It's a reminder that even with ample warning signs, some tragedies can be very difficult to prevent.

© 2007