Comments on: We know how to help young kids cope with the trauma of the last year — but will we do it?

By: Daniel Marlowe

Daniel Marlowe — Fri, 04 Nov 2022 21:27:36 +0000

Very salient article and so heartbreaking too. What is heartbreaking is in the very title: “…we know how to help…but will we? “.

In this particular time we find ourselves in: what we know is worthless in the eyes and ears of Republican sentiment and beliefs. The Biden Administration came up with a budget that could begin to address the concerns and needs this article presents. The Republicans refused to pass that and then it needed to be changed to the satisfaction of Republicans. Then, when that was done, they called foul and said it caused a recession.

For as long as I can remember Republicans have always taken the money from those in need and given it to those who do not have the need. Their “no taxation” mantra is based on that and their “trickle down” economic plans too. As far as ACEs and it’s effects on life and living goes –that cost too much in the Republican way of thinking — “we simply cannot afford to do it” or “it cost too much”.

I heard a woman comment today that she was voting all Republican because, in her mind, Republicans know money. I guess that must be true because they know how to take it from the marginalized, the poor, and those effected by ACE’s so they can apportion it to the greed of the wealthy among US and the greed of multimillion dollar corporations (that is why “trickle down” does not work!).

To get back to the point of: “…we know how to help…but will we?”. The Biden Administration tried to do that with the first budget proposal –it was at least a start. And Republicans shafted that and then coined names for Democrats who tried to address the needs of people and marginalized populations as: “Socialist” and “Too Liberal”.

I am feeling very disheartened today and my heart breaks for the express needs this article presents as I do not really see many of US really caring if we help anyone as those breast & brow beaters continue to harp on the “economy” and whose to blame for it. The Democrats believe in equality, equity, care, and protection from harm. To Republicans that means “Socialism” and “Liberalism”.

It seems a great many of US would rather allow trauma to continue, allow lies and conspiracy grow, as these Republicans call out to vote for leaders in government who support the lies, conspiracy, and call helping people and scream ‘Socialism” and “Liberalism” –all in the name of winning at ALL cost; and spread the fear that peoples money is going to be taken away because of it. Money is more important to Republicans than caring, protection, equality, and equity. Yes, indeed, Republicans know money and how to use it to win, to stay in power at all cost, and to keep the status quo of systemic racism alive and well.

It really is heartbreaking to see that we know how to help….but will we?…’help’ really is not looking too good these days…

By: Frank Sterle Jr.

Frank Sterle Jr. — Thu, 04 Nov 2021 23:54:19 +0000

The wellbeing of ALL children — and not just what other parents’ children might/will cost us as future criminals or costly cases of government care, etcetera — needs to be of real importance to us all, regardless of whether we’re doing a great job with our own developing children. A mentally sound future should be every child’s fundamental right — along with air, water, food and shelter — especially considering the very troubled world into which they never asked to enter.

Sadly, though, due to the common OIIIMOBY mindset (Only If It’s In My Own Back Yard), the prevailing collective attitude, however implicit or subconscious, basically follows: ‘Why should I care — I’m soundly raising my kid?’ or ‘What’s in it for me, the taxpayer, if I support child development programs for the sake of others’ bad parenting?’ While some may justify it as a normal thus moral human evolutionary function, the self-serving OIIIMOBY can debilitate social progress, even when social progress is most needed; and it seems that distinct form of societal penny wisdom but pound foolishness is a very unfortunate human characteristic that’s likely with us to stay.

By: Catherine Jurek

Catherine Jurek — Tue, 26 Oct 2021 22:43:41 +0000

To the Editor,
The trauma of the past years with the pandemic will follow us all for decades to come, so we must take preventative measures to mitigate the damage caused by these traumatic events. As a social worker, I was glad I came across this article on how trauma-informed care can help children cope. It was noted that schools reported that students have more emotional challenges and that the children’s social skills were declining.
I have read many articles on how mental health, among other things, has been affected by the pandemic. Nevertheless, very few articles go in-depth on addressing the necessary preventative measures such as therapy to minimize the effects of trauma and manage stress. The message is clear that prevention is better than intervention. Support is needed on all levels, beginning with school administration and staff and parents to support the children through this difficult time. More funding for childcare and mental health needs to be provided so that trauma-informed care reaches communities struggling with the effects of the pandemic.