This Time, Who's at Fault?

Did we sign up for this? Have I deceived my children by entrusting them to those who are incapable of keeping them safe? Did we send our kids to school only for them to be harmed? Are schools no longer a place where children can feel safe? Is it viable for me to educate my children at home?

These are some of the questions that may come to parents' minds in the aftermath of a school shooting. My heartfelt condolences to the 21 individuals who died in the school shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, on Tuesday, May 24th. According to reports, this is the second deadliest school shooting in the United States after the Sandy Hook Elementary School incident in Newton, Connecticut in 2012. This is the 27th school shooting this year, and it's horrible that these tragedies are becoming so prevalent. Gun violence continues to spiral out of control, and no change appears to be on the horizon.

In instances like this, who is to blame? Is it the government or the ineffective gun control laws that make weapons more accessible? Young people appear to be getting their hands on firearms as if they were a pair of sneakers.

Is it the parents' fault that they aren't paying attention to their children? Parents who appear to be aware that something is wrong but turn the other cheek. Is it the fault of parents for not properly loving, supporting, and raising their children? Is it true that too many parents ignore their children, leaving them prone to becoming victims themselves or victims of others? What can we do to guarantee that parents are well and involved in their children's lives?

Is it social media, and how it frequently possesses the minds of our youth? Although convenient and cost-effective, social media has been harming youngsters for years, forcing them to incriminate themselves, lose respect for themselves, and spread misinformation that has tainted their innocent minds. Is it a shortage of mental health services or a lack of care? We recognize that the stigma associated with mental illnesses persists, and that it will take a village to overcome it. Is it the pandemic that has exacerbated the already existing problems with mental health? Many people, specifically children, have had mental health issues that have gotten worse since the pandemic. Many people have become disconnected from reality as a result of the lockdown, and the shooters in both recent shootings have mentioned social media and being under lockdown at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Although it is important to understand that the majority of people suffering from mental illness are not violent, mental health treatment can often avoid gun violence in those who are at risk of violence due to mental illness, suicidal thoughts, or feelings of desperation. A national priority should be policies and services that detect and treat all people suffering from mental illness. The existing level of access to mental health care in the United States requires immediate attention.

What else needs to happen to bring this to an end? When will America's people say, "Enough is enough?" We've heard about change before, but nothing has changed; should we accept that nothing will ever change, or should we try to bring about change ourselves? It's something to consider, and it requires immediate action. I'd like to express my condolences to the families of those who have died, as well as others who have been touched by this tragedy. I send my prayers to all of God's children, and I sincerely hope that one day, the world will be a better place for all of us, and that we will learn to love and care for one another.

Eliminating the Stigma Attached to Mental Illness

Mental health is an important aspect of one's life; one cannot function well without it. Mental health can help you be more productive and effective at work, in school, and in caring for yourself and others. It helps you adjust to life changes and deal with hardship, both of which are important for the quality of your relationships. According to the World Health Organization "There is no health without mental health.” During a lifetime, not all people will experience a mental illness, but everyone will struggle or have a challenge with their mental well-being." Mental illnesses create distress and difficulties in social, occupational, and familial activities due to changes in emotions, thoughts, or behaviors.

If it's so important, why aren't people talking about it?

Let's talk about the stigma that surrounds mental illness, and how people often suffer in silence because they are afraid of being judged as weak or insecure, or as someone who can't manage their mental health. Why should they have to suffer alone? It's not fair to them or the others who care about them. What can we do to help them feel more at ease? How can we overcome the stigma? For starters, stop shaming and blaming those who are dealing with mental illnesses.

You should never shame or blame someone who suffers from a mental illness; for one thing, you have no right to judge, and for another, you have no control over developing one. Mental illness, like death, it doesn’t discriminate. Mental illness has no regard for age, gender, location, wealth, social status, race/ethnicity, religion/spirituality, sexual orientation, background, or any other aspect of cultural identity; it can affect anyone.

Is it a lack of knowledge?

People automatically associate mental illness with someone who is crazy, sick, or on medication. People aren't always willing to educate themselves and perform study to fully understand mental health illnesses and how they affect people, nor are they always willing to learn how to interact with someone who is suffering from one.

Could it be related to culture?

I've worked with a wide range of clients in the child welfare and social care fields, all with varied origins and beliefs. I once had a conversation with a parent who stated, "I am too healthy to have a sick child." It's unfortunate that individuals have such a narrow outlook, but I see how their lack of understanding affects their perception of the situation.

Some parents have children who suffer from mental illnesses or developmental delays, and these children are shunned, and their needs are unmet. Even when they are aware that something is wrong, some parents choose to turn the other cheek rather than seek the treatment, evaluation, and resources that their kid may require to manage their illness. The child will grow up to struggle with their illness, which will worsen as they get older.

Is it the media?

People with mental illnesses are often portrayed in the media as violent, impulsive, unstable, or criminal. Is the media portraying these individuals who only want to be heard, understood, and supported as people to avoid?

We've all dealt with or are dealing with mental health issues; remember, you don't need a diagnosis to relate. So, how do we break the stigma?

Here are a few of my suggestions:

• We should talk about it more, be more open about it, and if you're willing to share your own story and how you overcome it, keep in mind that you might be able to help someone going through a similar experience.

• We should invest in more mental health services and providers because there are a shortage of psychologists, psychiatrists, and mentors, as well as long waiting lists and expensive costs.

• Educating yourself and others will help you start more dialogues that promote empowerment over shame.

Remember the phrase "it takes a village"? It takes a village to eliminate the stigma attached to mental illness.

Children's Rights: Everything You Need to Know

The Declaration of the Rights of the Child, which defines children's rights to protection, education, health care, shelter, and proper nourishment, was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1959. The Convention on the Rights of the Child describes a child as a person, a member of the family and community, with age and developmentally appropriate rights and obligations. The Convention firmly emphasizes the focus on the overall child by recognizing children's rights in this way.

Children's rights are a subset of human rights that deal specifically with the protection and care that children are entitled to. Children's rights are vital since they apply to their survival, development, and protection against abuse, neglect, and exploitation, as well as their right to participate in familial, cultural, and social life. People often forget that children are individuals, with the same basic human rights as adults, as well as additional rights that recognize their special needs. Parents, children are not your property or helpless objects, they are human beings who have their own set of rights!

We recognize the need, but what is the government doing to ensure that children's rights are respected in the United States? Consider all the children who have been separated from their families and have been trafficked or died because of this president's negligence to the border crisis. I'm simply highlighting border policies that facilitate human trafficking, which includes both adults and children. While some countries' constitutions have sections dedicated to children's rights, the United States continues to struggle to prove that it cares for and protects its children. The United States has a long way to go in terms of strengthening and safeguarding children's access to their rights. According to the UAB human rights center, the United States has been complicit in the violation of many children's rights. Children have suffered and continue to live in poverty, with parents who lack job security, some who do not attend school, and others who do not receive adequate judicial retribution.

It's April 2022, and all I've heard and seen are news of children being murdered or seriously hurt. Children of all ages are being murdered by other children, and court systems are failing to protect children by keeping them with unstable caregivers and in abusive homes. Yes, I understand that if a child-protective agency has reasonable cause, they can file a petition with the Family Court to have assistance in the child's protection. The problem with judicial system is that they may not allow children to express their choices, instead making decisions for them or pressuring them into making a specific option. In some circumstances, the judge is on the side of the parent, and the child is returned to the parent. I realize that the goal is to reunite the child with his or her family, but what happens if there is sufficient evidence that the child cannot thrive in this environment? How can you be sure you're making the best choice for the child? Who says you must make that choice? Why not inquire as to what the child desires? Let's face it, they're the ones who must deal with the consequences of your decision. As a social worker who has worked in the foster care system, I've seen countless examples where this has occurred, and cases like these make my mind spin.

Let's face it, some of these agencies have poor service quality; you have some staff who care and want to help, and others who are burned out and don't. The process is shaky, and children are sometimes put with foster parents who are not always looking out for their best interests. Adult figures in these children’s’ lives, such as teachers, mentors, tutors, and care providers, see them daily and can detect when a child is being mistreated but refuse to report it.

So, what can we do to help protect children's rights in the United States? What are some approaches to improving children's access to their rights? Sponsoring a child, adopting a child, becoming a foster parent, donating, and praying are all obvious possibilities, but it’s not enough. Donating and sponsoring children has been polluted by greed and dishonesty, making it difficult for people to give because they have no idea where the money is going. To be honest, it's tough to say; we need more petitions, groups, and compassionate and sincere people to speak up.

Finally, I'd want to leave you with a quote from the world vison, “we believe every child deserves a childhood, surrounded by protective families and communities, free from violence, and with the opportunity to thrive and the experience the abundant life god promised.”