enough already
A Tolleson, AZ school has seen enough tragedy already. Please, please let there be no more. First the students and staff were dealing with the news that over Christmas break two kids were severely beaten (and ultimately died from the injuries) while playing in a nearby park. Then after the school was back in session, another student was run over by a car while on his way to school and died. In approximately two weeks this school lost three students. I hope the school is utilizing all the resources it can in order to make sure the students, and staff, are able to process what has happened. They say things strike in three so hopefully the school has seen the end to tragedy. I’ll keep my fingers crossed.
Filed under Arizona, issues, professional, social issues | Comment (0)some people should be shot
I came across this article the other day and am again horrified at what people are capable of doing. This babysitter put a baby into the dryer…yes the clothes dryer because…prepare yourself…the baby interrupted the babysitter’s tv time. OMG!!!!!! There is no way to wrap your brain around that one. And yes, I do believe some people don’t deserve to live after what they have done.
Filed under issues, professional, social issues | Comment (0)Christmas horror
The horror of this story is hard to fathom. A possibly mentally ill man followed 2 young, harmless boys into a nearby park and beat them severely in the head. Then walked back to his home. The boys suffered such extreme injuries that they both died a day after Christmas. Thanks to a neighbors surveillance camera the police were able to identify the man and arrest him. Just leaves me speechless that such things occur in this world. I work in the mental health arena as a crisis counselor, and it scares me to think anyone of the clients I have seen could have this inside them.
Filed under concerns, issues, personal, professional, social issues | Comment (0)not really new news
As a mental health professional in Arizona, it is not new news that there are a lot of issues with our system. There are never enough inpatient beds and sometimes getting ongoing counseling services is a trial as well. But it really is frustrating to know that insurance companies don’t really want to pay for mental health help. It is a battle that seems never-ending. The mentality is that if we can’t see your illness or “handicap” then we don’t need to deal with it. It is very disheartening to know that insurance companies do not see mental health as a necessary component to cover treatment for. While I hope this changes in Arizona, the likelihood is very slim.
Filed under Arizona, issues, professional | Comment (0)so it goes…
As an employee of a nonprofit mental health agency, it is never far from reality that something like this could happen: lack of funding causes Valley agency to make drastic cuts. I certainly hope that my company never has to do this.
Filed under professional | Comment (0)new company, new philosophy
Well the day has finally arrived! Today Magellan officially took over the mental health service contract for Maricopa County. Supposedly, the company believes in good customer service and quality care. Only time will tell. Thosee of us who work in the mental health community have been waiting for this change (from Value Options to Magellan) with both excitement and anxiety. It is always a process when change is involved but we all hope the transition is as easy as it can be. We in the crisis area of mental health services have been told nothing really will change in how we do our job. I hope that is true because hen people are n crisis, change can be even more devastating. The weeks and months ahead should be interesting if nothing else.
Welcome aboard Magellan and good luck!
Filed under professional | Comment (0)
