Monday, January 10, 2011

Loughner's Odd Behavior

I joined the country in a national moment of silence at the loss of six people, 14 critically injured, by Jared Loughner's mass shooting spree in Tuscon, Arizona. The most prominent being Rep. Gabby Gifford, a moderate blue dog Democrat, who remains in critical condition. My prayers are with her, the others injured and the family members who lost loved ones.

Politically speaking, I agree with many of the pundits that the current climate of hate from the extreme right and the decreasing support for gun control laws do bear some blame. Especially looking to Arizona, a place where so much anti-rhetoric clouded much of it's political discourse in 2010.

However, I am also drawn to speak on Loughner's behalf. To me he is simply a casualty of a failing health care system that has barely begun to recognize mental health as a real medical concern in need of attention. I am not even touching on the fact that Republican's are currently working to repeal all the progress made on healthcare reform so we can have more Loughner-type incidents.

It seems clear to me that the mental health care system failed Loughner just as much as lax gun control laws failed Gifford.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

In 2011: Look for the Me in We

Happy New Year everyone!!! It has been an incredible past year but I sure am glad to see recession, gay-teen suicides, high unemployment rate-ridden 2010 go.

It's time to start anew. Dream bigger, differently, longer-term. It's a time to stretch and test ourselves. Challenge those around us. It's time to get reacquainted with our ambitious, driven self. Where the heck had it been? I know I had to get out and go find mine.

Now, I am stretching and testing myself personally and professionally in ways that I could ever have imagined. Glad to know I am in good company.

Oprah is starting her OWN network. Republicans are going to try to remember what fiscal conservatism is again. Obama and his health care program are in for a rough but win-able fight. Even, the Sunday New York Times just published their version of helping marriages self-expand.

2011 hopes to be a good year for mental health. This is the first full year that mental health parity has been in existence. This means that anyone with a need can go see a mental health professional for as long as they need to without restrictions.

It's like taking a breath of fresh air.

I finally feel like I can and want to live again.

The Afterw@rd