Perhaps we should start with an acknowledgment that psychiatric and psychological interventions are not the source of “mental health,” especially in children.
Compare this with physical health: we don’t expect medical treatment to replace healthful foods, physical activity, and cleanliness in body and living conditions. Why do we expect “mental health” treatment to replace loving, present parents and grandparents, stimulating and inspiring words and media, and safety from abusive language and frightening narratives?
I think that we need to consider the home life as well. Mom and dad clearly had issues. Mom, it seems, neglected the children on multiple occasions and had major substance abuse issues. Dad may have had employment issues as well. I saw an article which stated that they were evited and made mention that dad bypassed his wedding pictures and took his guns. Most people don't understand that, but guns are worth money and you wouldn't leave them behind. However, to pay attention to the home life requires us to make judgments against the parents and recognize that children may not be as flexible as everyone has claimed for the past 40 years! Constant exposure to neglect, unstable living conditions and unstable parents do not make for a good homelife for dependent children. Homework is not as important as where you are sleeping or if you will have dinner. If our society really cared about our children, our literal future, we would do things differently!
Shouldn't we be happier by now after 20 years of radical left-wing leadership? Where's the joy we're supposed to have from the neverending legacy of the Great Black Hope? This is such a letdown.
All good points. The real question should be why are so many kids mentally ill or autistic or 'gay'? Something has changed and it's ruining our kids. But when you live in a culture that says everything is normal, how do you even treat mental illness? Just because you are 'born that way' doesn't mean it's normal! You have to help these kids find their way to functioning within the lines. Also, to your article, they are spending more on INSURANCE, but these so called mental health facilities and 'counselors' are often terrible at their jobs and make the kids even worse, OR they get paid very poorly. The demand for 'counselors' is very high, but few of them are truly qualified. Trust me, been there, done that. Could not get help for a family member who needed it. Has been very precarious. Did you know that if you tell your 'therapist' that you have suicidal thoughts they can force you to go the Emergency room for evaluation, but once you get there all they do is ask you how you're feeling then let you go? That is exactly the procedure. Most smaller towns have zero residential mental health facilities and that is what many of these kids need. I could go on, but it's just too depressing. These kids either figure it out or they kill themselves or someone else.
And in smaller towns the gossip, stigma (real and perceived) based on your family or a stupid decision are very real and drive kids to be more isolated
Perhaps we should start with an acknowledgment that psychiatric and psychological interventions are not the source of “mental health,” especially in children.
Compare this with physical health: we don’t expect medical treatment to replace healthful foods, physical activity, and cleanliness in body and living conditions. Why do we expect “mental health” treatment to replace loving, present parents and grandparents, stimulating and inspiring words and media, and safety from abusive language and frightening narratives?
I think that we need to consider the home life as well. Mom and dad clearly had issues. Mom, it seems, neglected the children on multiple occasions and had major substance abuse issues. Dad may have had employment issues as well. I saw an article which stated that they were evited and made mention that dad bypassed his wedding pictures and took his guns. Most people don't understand that, but guns are worth money and you wouldn't leave them behind. However, to pay attention to the home life requires us to make judgments against the parents and recognize that children may not be as flexible as everyone has claimed for the past 40 years! Constant exposure to neglect, unstable living conditions and unstable parents do not make for a good homelife for dependent children. Homework is not as important as where you are sleeping or if you will have dinner. If our society really cared about our children, our literal future, we would do things differently!
Shouldn't we be happier by now after 20 years of radical left-wing leadership? Where's the joy we're supposed to have from the neverending legacy of the Great Black Hope? This is such a letdown.
All good points. The real question should be why are so many kids mentally ill or autistic or 'gay'? Something has changed and it's ruining our kids. But when you live in a culture that says everything is normal, how do you even treat mental illness? Just because you are 'born that way' doesn't mean it's normal! You have to help these kids find their way to functioning within the lines. Also, to your article, they are spending more on INSURANCE, but these so called mental health facilities and 'counselors' are often terrible at their jobs and make the kids even worse, OR they get paid very poorly. The demand for 'counselors' is very high, but few of them are truly qualified. Trust me, been there, done that. Could not get help for a family member who needed it. Has been very precarious. Did you know that if you tell your 'therapist' that you have suicidal thoughts they can force you to go the Emergency room for evaluation, but once you get there all they do is ask you how you're feeling then let you go? That is exactly the procedure. Most smaller towns have zero residential mental health facilities and that is what many of these kids need. I could go on, but it's just too depressing. These kids either figure it out or they kill themselves or someone else.
And in smaller towns the gossip, stigma (real and perceived) based on your family or a stupid decision are very real and drive kids to be more isolated
It’s so hard . 😕