While the country is apparently as divided
over the issue of gun control and any legislation limiting the types of guns
that can be sold and/or the oversized magazine clips that have been used in the
recent massacre of innocents, even the NRA agrees, if we are to have any chance
of identifying and treating those among us who are now, or have potential for
becoming, emotionally unstable, we have
to have a much stronger mental health system in our country and particularly in
our schools.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistic
there were 174,000 school psychologists in the U S in 2010, but the ratio of
students to psychologists is 457-1,
twice the number recommended by the National Association of School
Psychologists. Instead of the 22% increase previously predicted to take place
in 2010 through 2020, the budget for mental health professionals has been cut
or is in danger of being cut in almost every town and city in the country.
If we had early detection in our
schools—grades K-12, teachers trained to better recognize signs of emotional
distress among students, and a mechanism in place to keep psychologists or
social workers actively involved with the follow up care and treatment, we
might not only reduce the possibility of a known mentally disturbed individual
committing the horrendous massacre of December 14, but also prevent at least
some of the teenage suicides which have been increasing at an alarming rate. A
teacher’s recorded observations could lead to uncovering cases of child
molestation or abuse and timely intervention or treatment for the victims.
What we need is an emotional report card for
every student with the information on it afforded the same importance as
his/her academic progress. We need more
resources dedicated to identifying deeply troubled children including
those with early and persistent tendencies toward violence.
Wouldn’t we rather have our children
remember the important dates in the history of the United States, rather than
the gruesome dates of the latest school massacres?
