Dec 7, 2017, Aspen (CO) Daily News: Pitkin County commissioners vote to enter into agreement on mental health https://www.aspendailynews.com/news/pitkin-county-commissioners-vote-to-enter-into-agreement-on-mental/article_bce859d0-db07-11e7-bbde-9fc331c1d910.html The Pitkin Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously Wednesday on first reading to enter into an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the city of Aspen, Aspen Valley Hospital and the Aspen School District for the unified purchase of vital mental health services. … According to a statement released by the Pitkin County government, a full-time mental health therapist at Aspen High School and a rapid-response mobile unit program are among the new services that will be made possible by the combined efforts of the four signatories of the IGA. The group will be known as the Mental Health Strategic Funding Advisory Committee. … Combined funding for mental health in Pitkin County now totals $488,000, with the Aspen School District contributing $40,000, the city of Aspen contributing $70,550, Aspen Valley Hospital contributing $73,275 and the Pitkin County Healthy Community Fund contributing $304,507. … “Having full and part-time therapists in schools and the addition of the rapid response mobile unit is a huge step forward for Pitkin County. Integrated mental health care, case management, psychiatric medication management, tele-psych access and crisis services are just what the doctor ordered for this community.” …
Childhood Lost
Children today are noticeably different from previous generations, and the proof is in the news coverage we see every day. This site shows you what’s happening in schools around the world. Children are increasingly disabled and chronically ill, and the education system has to accommodate them. Things we've long associated with autism, like sensory issues, repetitive behaviors, anxiety and lack of social skills, are now problems affecting mainstream students. Blame is predictably placed on bad parenting (otherwise known as trauma from home).
Addressing mental health needs is as important as academics for modern educators. This is an unrecognized disaster. The stories here are about children who can’t learn or behave like children have always been expected to. What childhood has become is a chilling portent for the future of mankind.