unbelievable..people are truly unbelievable

A Phoenix photo radar worker was shot to death early Monday morning as he sat in the DPS photo radar van. Someone actually drove up tot he car and opened fire on this unsuspecting worker. What the hell is wrong with this society? Luckily the photo radar van was able to capture a picture of the suspects car and witnesses were ale to follow the car and inform Phoenix PD of the drivers moves. As of this afternoon the police have a suspect in custody. I just can’t believe something like this would happen. My thoughts go out to the workers family during this time of grief and pain.

not shocking news at all

In an article in the Arizona Republic recently, they discuss the emotional and mental health toll the worsening economy is having on Americans.

This does not seem like this should be surprising news.

Or maybe I am biased in that as a crisis counselor this was apparent in the first few weeks of the economic downturn. We are a society dependent on money and when there is no money, we are going to have more stress. People are losing jobs left and right, thus not able to pay for their cars, their homes, their kids education. You name it, the economy is effecting it. And yes, our stress level is increasing which in turn will lead to an increase in depression and physical health issues.

I can only hope that we start to see a leveling off and a light at the end of the tunnel.

utterly horrifying

In Massachusetts, a 23 year old man killed two of his sisters and attempted to kill the third. The details are horrifying and unbelievable. The youngest victim was 5 years old and he decapitated her. In front of a police officer after the officer broke into the house in response to a 91 call. WTF and OMG!!!!

I can’t even imagine the scene in that house and how much trauma the surviving sister experienced witnessing all the carnage. And the officer who witnessed the decapitation? Nothing could ever prepare you for that. NOTHING.

My heart goes out to the family.

thankful to be a social worker

US House of Representatives passed a resolution this past week that honors the social work profession and what we as social workers strive to do. The resolution was introduced by one of the nine social workers in Congress. I hope this type of support and recognition continues as without social workers there would be a lot of people in worse off situations. We are on the front line of our society, connecting people to services, counseling families, assisting the homeless and mentally ill, supporting people through tough times. am proud to be a licensed clinical social worker and I am proud of what we accomplish. Thank you Congress for recognizing our value to society.

this should not be news

A few days ago, The Arizona Republic ran this article about spanking kids. It seems like this should be common sense. I mean really…is it that unrealistic to think that if you use violence to punish kids has the potential to create defiant children? I hope people actually take a look at what they do and start incorporating constructive forms of discipline.

denial at its best

The CEO of Magellan, the Regional Behavioral Health Authority for Maricopa County, is drinking the Kool-Aid. His level of denial is unreal. Magellan has been audited in the last few months and the results have been less than stellar. And he has the nerve to say things are moving forward? Really? Has he been reading the news? Did he look at the audit? Has he talked to consumers? or better yet, has he talked to providers? The consensus would be that the system has taken a drastic nose dive since Magellan took over from Value Options. When will we learn that a for-profit agency CAN NOT run a non-for-profit field. Mental health is not a money-making machine. I think I speak for a lot of us in the mental health arena here in Phoenix when I say that the end of this contract with Magellan can not come soon enough.

as it should be

Dale Hausner, the man suspected of being the “Serial Shooter” here in the Phoenix area in2005-06, was found guilty in 80 out of 87 counts. Justice has been served. It doesn’t bring back any of those who he murdered or ease the suffering of surviving victims and families, but it is a salve of sorts. To know that our justice system worked and a serial murderer will be punished. Now we have to wait and see exactly what his sentence will be.

disturbing possibilities

I receive daily news updates from Social Work Today, which is THE publication for social workers. Recently a news article reported on the idea that young adults who develop PTSD after being exposed to a traumatic event may be more likely to attempt suicide than those young adults who do not develop PTSD. As a social worker and crisis counselor, this finding is very disturbing. While there is not direct cause and effect relationship, it certainly makes sense and could explain a lot. In my job, I work with all ages, but it seems more and more, we are being called out to talk to kids. And more and more, suicide is the reason. It is scary to think that so many young adults see suicide as a viable option. It definitely tells me we need to do so much more in our society to help prevent this way of thinking. Now is not the time to cut funding to social service agencies.

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.

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.