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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – The tragic shooting in Arizona last month should be a wake-up call for us all because it could have been prevented. It was alarming to learn that gunman Jared Loughner exhibited behavior indicative of mental health issues for several years but had never received the help he needed.
Alarming, but not surprising, in light of the fact that funding for mental health services has been drastically reduced over the same time period.
Young people, who should be hospitalized or in residential treatment facilities, are being referred to an overloaded outpatient system or, like Loughner, expelled from school because they are seen as threats to the student body and faculties. Without treatment, the issues troubling these kids worsen, escalating into the type of tragedies we witnessed in Arizona and more recently in California, where a school shooting resulted in the death of a school administrator.
Children’s Needs Today Are Complex
As President and CEO of KidsPeace, a Lehigh Valley-based nonprofit that provides mental health care to children, teens and young adults, I have witnessed dramatic transformations. I’ve seen children who were literally “saved” by well-trained medical staff and clinicians applying tailored treatment plans of counseling, medication, education and hard work. The complexity of needs we see today is unprecedented and often demands that we intervene quickly to provide care — wherever needed to save a child.
Budget reductions by federal, state and local entities, as well as reduced insurance payments, have had an enormous impact on services for children. Fewer emotionally and mentally impaired children are receiving the identification, diagnosis and treatment they need. There is little funding available for outpatient treatment, and much less for hospital or residential care that would help children heal and become productive members of our communities.
Schools Must Take a Proactive Role
Schools must also take a more proactive role in identifying students with mental health issues, ensuring that they are referred to counselors, physicians, psychologists, social workers or clinicians for the help they need. If parents refuse or are unable to recognize signs of illness in their children, our schools need to inform the proper social
services, medical or law enforcement authorities that a child is spiraling out-of-control and possibly toward a violent act.
Prevention is key. We are calling on all public and private schools to adopt a threat assessment system, which outlines symptoms, available help and procedures if an incident takes place.
Many states are facing major budget reductions and Congress is currently proposing a series of cuts that would have a very significant negative impact on hundreds of children who depend on KidsPeace and other providers to serve, heal and help children grow.
Budget Reductions Will Impact Care
Removing money today from mental health care budgets will only cost more in the long run – both in financial and human costs. There is a strong linkage between mental health disorders and juvenile justice behaviors. Research shows that approximately 70% of children already involved with the juvenile justice system have a diagnosable mental health disorder, and approximately 25% of children have a mental health disorder so severe it interferes with their ability to function.
Let’s Not Fail Our Kids
The system failed a young man in Arizona and he allegedly unleashed terror on his innocent victims. Other young people deal with similar demons. Are we willing to allow our system to fail them as well? Some act out by bullying, torturing animals or terrorizing their families. Others bring guns to school football games, search the Web for plans to build bombs or attempt suicide. They are unable to deal with their anxiety, depression or other emotional or mental problems without help from professionals.
As a society, as a nation, as a community – we must hear their cries and make a firm commitment to provide the hope, help and healing they so desperately need.
William Isemann – KidsPeace President & CEO
[email protected]
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