Mental Health what a slippery slope.
In our reading this week, we read about the lack of mental health services within the native american culture or the inadequate mental health services. This got me thinking on the bigger picture of mental health and current budget cuts. It infuriates me that the most needed services in America is to the oppressed populations are being cut. Why? It is because oppressed populations lack the voice, mobility, and mental capacity to be able to speak out and fight for their needs. When I am looking at it from the budget cuts perspective it is easy to cut because they are going to get little to no resistance from people or special interest groups. Why, because they do NOT have a VOICE and have been beaten down for a long time or forever and have given up on the fight. It truly makes me sad.
Here we are in the social work field to create change and to help clients onto a better path, in my case in rural america, with limited services to choose from. We have limited income and rare services and we are suppose to make everyone's unique story or life fit into a one size fits all service. Ya, that is going to create the change we want or need. (sarcastic)
One thing that I have learned about myself is that I do not stay in my sandbox well...we need to advocate for the clients to help the change process.
I had the experience of working with children with developmental disabilities some years ago and dealing with the ups and downs of budget cuts and adjusting to fewer and fewer resources all the time. It is disheartening that those in most need have to get the short end of the stick.
ReplyDeleteThere is a place for people to advocate on their behalf both in the community and in legislation. Glad you don't stick to the sandbox.
I agree it is frustrating to be on the front lines and see the impact of decisions made by people who do not seem to understand or care. I see this in our public school systems. Class sizes have exploded and now teachers are expected to teach 30 children at a time. How is that even possible? It only takes one student to pull the class of task which effects everyone’s educations. Our teachers do not have any aids to help them. The government seems so focused on test scores that teachers only have time to teach those standards. I wish more recognition would be given to the importance of a complete education including the arts, social and life skills.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Crystal. It is frustrating listening and reading what the budget is for Mental Health and knowing what services they provide. Everything looks better on paper. I think the government does things to keep the poor in poverty and allows the rich to keep getting richer. Do they rally do things for the betterment of all the populations? Just a thought.
ReplyDeleteJodie, my oldest started kindergarten this year. I also watched "Saving Superman", a movie about the public school system. Needless to say with the growing class size and the dynamics of the public school, I really wanted to put my child in private school. Unfortunately with finances that is not possible. It is sad the government is focused on test score and the quality.
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