| The US has the highest rate of violence and | | | | Research has demonstrated that good |
| incarceration of all the Western Nations. | | | | prevention of later delinquency, child abuse |
| Additionally, it appears that the rates of | | | | and violence includes home visiting programs |
| violence and murder in US cities are again on | | | | and Head Start type programs with family |
| the rise. What can we do to stem the tide of | | | | involvement. Family therapy, mentoring, and |
| children growing up to be criminal and | | | | skill building are effective for young at |
| violent in their families and their | | | | risk youth. A recent study of school based |
| communities? | | | | mental health (Schmidt, Seifert, Weist, 2007) |
| | | | demonstrated that this type of program can |
| We know that when the basic needs of children | | | | reduce disciplinary problems and absenteeism, |
| and adolescents are not met at home, they are | | | | while improving mental health and self-esteem |
| at risk for behavioral and mental health | | | | of children who participate in the program |
| problems. We also know that these children | | | | when compared to those who do not |
| need services to prevent their behavior and | | | | participate. We know what to do. We know |
| mental health problems from becoming worse | | | | that it works. To not do it is inefficient, |
| and entrenched. So, when politicians say we | | | | ineffective and wrong. |
| cannot afford basic health programs like | | | | |
| SCHIP, they, perhaps are not aware that the | | | | SCHIP funds physical and mental health care |
| dollars spent on childhood physical and | | | | for children and adolescents who do not have |
| mental health care can prevent spending | | | | health insurance. This year there is a bill |
| hundreds of thousands of dollars as they grow | | | | to expand the coverage of SCHIP. The |
| older and their problems worsen due to lack | | | | President has vetoed this bill. The senate |
| of care. Add to that the cost of losses in | | | | probably does not have enough votes to |
| families and communities due to violence. | | | | over-ride the veto. However, it is important |
| The costs of doing too little far outweighs | | | | to understand that we will all gain by making |
| the costs of doing the right thing in the | | | | sure that all children and teens have |
| first place. We can give them treatment when | | | | adequate physical and mental health care. |
| they are young or lock them up when they grow | | | | Billions have been lost due to fraud in Iraq. |
| up. Incarceration costs much more that | | | | There needs to be efforts to clean up the |
| outpatient treatment and prevention. | | | | fraud and spend that money on our future, our |
| | | | children. |