The contribution of trauma to genocide is multigenerational.

 Perhaps the intersection of clinical mental health services and politics is trauma.

There is a fascinating discussion on this topic between Chris Hedges and Gabor Mate. It is worth reading and or listening to or both.

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Death notification: A Father's Grief

David Markham's account details the devastating night his family was involved in a drunk driving accident. The narrative recounts his frantic efforts to locate his injured wife and children at various hospitals, culminating in the heartbreaking discovery that two of his children died. Markham's description poignantly portrays his grief, the challenges of delivering devastating news to his surviving family, and his ultimate decision to become a DWI victim impact panelist to honor his deceased children and prevent similar tragedies. The included discussion guide proposes questions for reflection on the events described.

To read the article click here.

 

Is it helpful to talk about past abuse?

Question: Is it helpful to go back and talk about past abuse?

Answer: It is to identify the trauma that occured so that the thoughts and feelings about it can be managed. Dr. Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, said that you can either talk it out or act it out. Children act things out all the time and their parents tell them, "Stop crying and use your words."

Once the trauma has been identified strategies have to be developed to manage it to diminish or eliminate the influence that it has on one's current functioning.

A trauma informed therapist does not ask, "What is wrong with you?" but rather "What happened to you?"

It is not helpful to prolong a sense of victimization. To rise above victimization a person has to identify what happened, figure out how to manage it, and move on. This work is often best done with a professional but can be done with nonjudgmental others as well.

Social workers impacted by the opioid epidemic

From News 5 Cleveland on July 3, 2017

AKRON, Ohio - Heroin overdoses are skyrocketing across the U.S., especially here in Ohio.

Nearly half a dozen people are likely to die from the drug. And now, kids are getting their hands on it, with dangerous consequences.

Already this year, at least four Ohio children have overdosed. Three of them live in Northeast Ohio.

The first people often called when that happens? The county social worker.

"The most difficult is managing everything that is thrown at you, it's a pretty unpredictable job," said Lauren Brown, an Intake Case Worker at Summit County Child and Family Health Services.

Brown is constantly putting out fires and working with families in some of their most traumatic and vulnerable stages.

Already there this year, a two-year-old overdosed in Akron, and a one-year-old died after getting his hands on heroin.

For more click here.

Editor's note:

As people locally struggle with opiate addiction in various ways, the Republicans have considered cutting substance abuse and mental health services from their health care bill through the health insurance plan itself and through cuts to Medicaid. Instead, they propose to give further tax cuts to the very rich. Ohio is a red state that has consistently elected Republicans to office except in their cities.

The long lasting effects of racism