I felt total empathy and sadness for the families who have lost a child or teen through suicide while reading the condescending, blaming article by John Rosemond (“Is there a child and teen mental health crisis in the U.S.?” The Herald, April 16.) Suicide impacts our entire community and each child is greatly missed. Rosemond’s sarcastic tone and comments such as, “we should do nothing that involves any form of mental health treatment,” is out of touch on so many levels.
I strongly suggest that The Herald discontinue this column that is harming our community. Rosemond rarely is hopeful nor shares practical steps to improving the well-being of parents or children. Perhaps The Herald can create a new column written by local health professionals who understand we live a very different culture than what he glorifies about the 1950s. Every generation is complex and we must not simply look back and point fingers. Instead, we must learn and continue to support new families who are navigating parenting for the first time, many without the extended families of yesteryear.
We have amazing mental health resources throughout our community. I propose a rotating column by compassionate professionals drawing from the staffs of the Snohomish Health District, Compass Health, Snohomish County Human Services, the Cocoon House, the Everett Clinic, and Seattle Children’s Hospital, to name just a few. Writing a column takes about 90 minutes of thoughtful reflection. My hope is that for the sake of our community the Living with Children column will cease to exist in the Herald and be replaced by a column of hope and support for our Snohomish County families.
Teresa Rugg
Snohomish
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