Civic Engagement PCSCOR 325

Holly, this article made me think of the problems many Boston schools face.

The Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement - provides resource and research related to young American's civic and political engagement.

"This may not mean anything to somebody who is accustomed to civic action or to somebody who has always recognized the power they have. But for me, being a poor black girl from Baltimore, knowing I helped pass two pieces of important legislation makes me feel invincible."-Taikira White, The Intersection A young girl from Baltimore became active in civic engagement due to seeing kids like herself not go very far or even worse die. These two girls took a stand when most people just want to look the other way. It is easier to just leave things the way they are instead of standing up and trying to make a change for something that you believe in or think is right, What an inspiration these two young ladies are, they fought for what they wanted and are not only doing something for themselves they are helping their community and trying to make it a better place.

In the wake of the death of Robin Williams, The Boston Globe's article "Parity in mental health care a must," encompasses society's strains when trying to access care for mental health and addiction-- a problem that traverses the United States yet continues to be swept under the carpet. Cullen notes that "One of the symptoms of a sick society is the difficulty so many people face trying to access and pay for good mental health care," bringing into perspective the hoops patients are forced to jump through just to get some medical attention. The lack of funding as well as the issue of stigma is raised. In many cases, mental health is not viewed as physically impairing and therefore does not need to be treated as such. Despite the probability of a devastating outcome, this article raises the very real issue of mental health services that low income and possibly even middle income families find themselves up against. Mental illness and addiction are cases of medical disorders very much like diabetes or heart disease. The burden of mental illnesses in the United States can be laid to blame on the politicians who refuse to enforce parity laws. The article mentions the high rates of practitioners who refuse to accept many insurance plans and the low reimbursement rates, which dissuade young people from entering the field. The mental health field continues to be thinly stretched and is only worsening in terms of practitioner availability and reimbursement. Untreated behavioral health is becoming an epidemic-- Stigma associated with behavioral health conditions stands in the way of families and individuals attempting to access sufficient care, leaving people to suffer in silence because of the destructive value system so much of society has adopted.