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LCM Bookstore: Order Tapes and Transcripts Check out The Infinite Mind's broadcast date and time in your area
Copyright © 1997-2002
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 State of Mind: America 2002: Children and Mental Health Dr. Goodwin now who introduces some members of the audience in Washington, D.C. Jan Tcazyck from Cape Cod ,Massachusetts says that in the high school where she works she has seen young people who were already in struggling in one way or another doing worse after September 11th. Olga Linney is a teenager (she's 16 and a junior in high school) from Virginia who says it can be helpful to talk to adults who are not your parents about problems you may be having. It can be easier and less embarrassing than talking to one's parents. Jim Kidney, also from Virginia, is a parent whose 12-year-old son Daniel hanged himself after he had begun counseling and treatment for depression. After the fact Mr. Kidney and his wife were able to get the psychologist's notes and educate themselves about depression. He thinks that it is important to be able to evaluate the effectiveness of counseling. Reflecting on this disturbing story, Dr. Goodwin reminds us that when it comes to children and mental health the stakes couldn't be higher. He asks whether we are short-changing our children. One out of 10 American children and adolescents struggle with mental illness and most of those are not being treated. Dr. Goodwin introduces the guests for the program's second panel discussion, Dr. Marilyn Benoit, president of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Marian Wright Edelman, founder and president of the Children's Defense Fund, and Dr. Rosemarie Truglio, Vice President of Research and Education for Sesame Street. They are joined by former First Lady and child and mental health advocate Rosalynn Carter via telephone from Colorado. Mrs. Carter has called the situation with respect to children and mental health a "national crisis." Dr. Goodwin asks why. She explains that there is a need for primary care providers, law enforcement personnel, teachers, etc. to be educated about the symptoms of mental illness so that children do not slip through the cracks. Mrs. Carter says that we know what we need to do for children but we don't do it. Dr. Benoit says that she looks at children's functioning in school and the social realm to assess how they are doing. The content of children's artwork and changes in their eating and sleeping. are other important signs of problems. Dr. Benoit says that she is seeing some signs of regression in some children trying to cope with the aftermath of the terrorist attacks. She concurs that this is a national crisis-in the years between 1980 and 1996 there was a one hundred percent increase in the suicide rate of children between the ages of 10 and 14. Dr. Goodwin returns to the audience and speaks with Susan Bently of Wyoming. She points out that her entire state has only one pediatric psychiatrist and that children may have to wait as long as a month to receive psychological counseling and psychiatric treatment. Families with insurance have caps on what their insurance will pay for; sometimes people have to drive two to eight hours to get to treatment. There's a real lack of support. Panelist Marian Wright Edelman reminds us that here in the richest nation on earth we have nine million uninsured children. We need to make sure that this situation changes and that there is parity for mental health needs-that they are put on a par with children's (and adults') physical needs. There are millions of children witnessing and experiencing violence all around this country, all the time. We need to address the hidden but urgent needs of our children. Dr. Benoit reminds the audience that just as the first group of panelists mentioned, we need to be alert to those whose personal histories place them at higher risk for developing psychiatric disorders after 9-11. She mentions as one example immigrants from repressive countries where they experienced trauma before they came to the United States. Rosalynn Carter says she is concerned that children with mental illnesses are not being diagnosed early enough. Early screening is extremely important. Rosemarie Truglio explains how Sesame Street sought to respond to the events of September 11th in a way appropriate for its very young viewers. What are the coping strategies children can learn about expressing their emotions? How can adults help validate those emotions? Dr. Goodwin asks if children are more responsive to stories than to a direct approach. Dr. Truglio describes positive feedback the show has received in the form of calls and letters saying children have learned practical, important skills-like how to deal with a fire emergency-from watching the program. As a closing comment Mrs. Edelman emphasizes that children come in families and communities and that we can best care for children by reaching them through their families and communities. |
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