As I sit here, thinking about the most recent school shooting that has occurred in Uvalde, Texas I can’t help but think about what could have been done differently, done better to ensure that no other family in the United States has to endure the pain and trauma of losing a child to a school shooter. To ensure that a teacher going to work for the day comes home to their family at dismissal. Every child and family should not only have the right to a free education in this country, as is granted in the Constitution, but we should have the right to a SAFE educational environment. I am sure so many others are having similar thoughts.
So often after these tragic events, we see cries on social media and in the news for Gun Control. The way I see it, Gun Control is only one small part of this multi facet issue. In addition to gun control, we as a society also need to be looking at the Mental Health system that is failing our country. As provider’s, we are mandated to follow HIPAA protocols which state we cannot acknowledge whether someone is a patient or client without written consent. In theory, seems pretty straight forward, as a therapist I can not disclose to anyone else that Joe X is a patient or client of mine without Joe X giving me written consent to release this information. I cannot have Joe X’s mom, friend, partner or anyone else and tell me they want Joe X to receive services, Joe X has to call himself to arrange for these services. Again, seems straight forward and to most people, they would say yes, I don’t want others knowing my medical information without my consent.
The short fall of this is how then do we access services for someone who we can see need the services but won’t go? This problem is often times brought to light with families where the family sees a member is hurting themselves in some way but won’t go for help. How do we help a family or friends when we see social media post that cause concern, but there is no alerting to the authorities? How do we help families identify a potential issue and what resources are available to aid them to prevent such tragedy? If the authorities are alerted, can they even respond unless a plan is outlined in the social media posts?
I do not have the answers or solutions to stop all of these shootings, but I do know that not enough is being done to protect our innocent children and the teachers and school staff who go to work every day. I do believe nothing has changed since Columbine High School shooting on April 20, 1999. Bullying needs to be addressed in schools better, security in schools needs to be increased, even if it means locking all the doors and using cameras to allow access into the building, mental health services need to be looked at and yes, even gun control to eliminate certain types of weapons from getting into the hands of unstable, mentally ill adults.
When people are sending emails or calling their local representative offices looking for action, please remember it is more then just gun control involved. Calling for reform and ideas to protect our communities is needed and without the Mental health issues being changed, these senseless acts will continue.
