Dr. Helen Hsu

Support for our friends and family in the Sikh community

I have just returned home late last night from an invigorating few days in Orlando for the Asian American Psychological Association and American Psychological Association conventions.  There was so much great work shared there and I have been excited to share the news with others. 

Sadly, this horrible crime against the Sikh community occurred-and now those of us who care about tolerance and community and health and safety are reeling from this inexplicable crime against a peaceful group.  There are  many Sikhs I have come in contact with in the Tri-City community here in Fremont and Union City- and they have always been family-oriented, tolerant people who have worked hard to do good in the community. 

The following is a statement from esteemed colleagues with valuable resource information. Please share widely & keep the Sikh community in your hearts and thoughts:

August 6, 2012

 

Dear Colleagues,

 As many of you may already know, there has been an attack on the Sikh Gurdwara (place of

worship) and its members in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. As members of the Sikh community, we

would like to offer helpful resources about Sikhs for counselors, psychologists, social workers,

and other helping professionals. These resources (listed below) range from websites that deliver

basic information about Sikhs to scholarship that may be used to strengthen cultural competence

in working with Sikh individuals and communities. Thank you to SAPNA and AAPA for this

quick response to this tragedy.

 

 

The basic tenets of Sikhism include belief in one God, respect for all people, including respect

for all other religions as we respect our own, service to humanity, standing against injustice, and

sharing resources with others. Sikh men and women have uncut hair and men are recognizable

by their turbans and beards. In fact, 99% of people wearing turbans in the U.S. are Sikhs. Sikh

boys wear a patka (a bandana-like head covering) before they begin wearing turbans. Some Sikh

women also wear turbans. Because of these clear visible identifiers as religious minorities, they

have been targets of both overt and covert prejudice and discrimination. A tragedy such as the

one in Oak Creek can re-traumatize individuals and underscore their vulnerability. (It is

important to note that not all Sikhs have these visible identifiers, and yet may still have

oppressive experiences).

 

 

We would also like to challenge the Islamaphobia that is often related to the hate violence Sikhs

experience. For instance, when the media reports on terrible tragedies - such as what happened

to the Oak Creek Sikh Gurdwara – reporters endeavor to distinguish those of the Sikh faith from

those of the Muslim faith ("These Sikhs were ‘mistaken’ for being Muslim."). We find the

method the media uses to distinguish Sikhs from Muslims in this manner extremely troubling, as

there is no religious community of color that is deserving of hate violence and Islamaphobia is

unacceptable in our society.

 

 

Below, we have listed websites for five national Sikh organizations that are involved in

education, advocacy, and the fight for social justice. These sites provide information on issues

that the Sikh community faces, as well as ways in which these issues are being addressed. Next,

we provide a sample list of journal articles for education and cultural competence development

with this community. As our community mourns our tragic losses, we encourage you to take

time to discuss the complexity of hate violence towards Sikh people and communities, as well as

the way Muslims, Arab Americans, and other groups of color experience microaggressions and

macroaggressions in the United States. Please see Community United Against Violence

(

http://www.cuav.org/ ) and Southern Poverty Law Center (http://www.splcenter.org/ ) for more

information on challenging hate violence in your communities.

 

 

Sat Siri Akal (a Sikh greeting),

Muninder Kaur Ahluwalia

(

muninder.ahluwalia@montclair.edu )

 

 

Anneliese A. Singh

 

asingh@uga.edu )

 Websites on the Sikh Faith:

Sikh Coalition Sikhcoalition.org

Sikhcoalition.org

 

SALDEF Saldef.org

(Sikh American Legal Defense

and Education Fund)

Saldef.org

(Sikh American Legal Defense

and Education Fund)

 

United Sikhs Unitedsikhs.org

Unitedsikhs.org

Sikhnet Sikhnet.com

Sikhnet.com

 

ENSAAF Ensaaf.org

Ensaaf.org

 

Articles about Sikh Communities and Counseling:

Ahluwalia, M. K., & Pellettiere, L. A. (2010). Sikh men post-9/11: Misidentification,

discrimination, and coping. Asian American Journal of Psychology, 1 (4), 303-314.

 

Ahluwalia, M. K., & Zaman, N. K. (2009). Counseling Muslims and Sikhs in a post-9/11 world.

In J. G. Ponterotto, M. Casas, L. A. Suzuki, and C. Alexander (Eds.), Handbook of

Multicultural Counseling (3rd ed., pp. 467-478). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

 

Kapur, P. (2010). Sharing identity through dress: The case of Sikh women. Psychological

Studies, 55(2), 101-107.

 

Mand, K. (2006). Gender, ethnicity, and social relations in the narratives of elderly Sikh men and

women. Ethnic and Racial Studies, 29(6), 1057-1071.

 

Sandhu, J. S. (2004). The Sikh model of the person, suffering, and healing: Implications for

counselors. International Journal for the Advancement of Counseling, 26(1), 33-46.

 

Sandhu, J. S. (2005). A Sikh perspective on life-stress: Implications for counseling. Candaian

Journal of Counselling, 39(1), 40-51.

Asian American Journal of Psychology, 1 (4), 303-314.

 

Ahluwalia, M. K., & Zaman, N. K. (2009). Counseling Muslims and Sikhs in a post-9/11 world.

In J. G. Ponterotto, M. Casas, L. A. Suzuki, and C. Alexander (Eds.), Handbook of

Multicultural Counseling (3rd ed., pp. 467-478). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

 

Kapur, P. (2010). Sharing identity through dress: The case of Sikh women. Psychological

Studies, 55(2), 101-107.

 

Mand, K. (2006). Gender, ethnicity, and social relations in the narratives of elderly Sikh men and

women. Ethnic and Racial Studies, 29(6), 1057-1071.

 

Sandhu, J. S. (2004). The Sikh model of the person, suffering, and healing: Implications for

counselors. International Journal for the Advancement of Counseling, 26(1), 33-46.

 

Sandhu, J. S. (2005). A Sikh perspective on life-stress: Implications for counseling. Candaian

Journal of Counselling, 39(1), 40-51.

 

Handbook of Multicultural Counseling (3rd ed., pp. 467-478). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

 

Kapur, P. (2010). Sharing identity through dress: The case of Sikh women. Psychological

Studies, 55(2), 101-107.

 

Mand, K. (2006). Gender, ethnicity, and social relations in the narratives of elderly Sikh men and

women. Ethnic and Racial Studies, 29(6), 1057-1071.

 

Sandhu, J. S. (2004). The Sikh model of the person, suffering, and healing: Implications for

counselors. International Journal for the Advancement of Counseling, 26(1), 33-46.

 

Sandhu, J. S. (2005). A Sikh perspective on life-stress: Implications for counseling. Candaian

Journal of Counselling, 39(1), 40-51.

 

(3rd ed., pp. 467-478). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

 

Kapur, P. (2010). Sharing identity through dress: The case of Sikh women. Psychological

Studies, 55(2), 101-107.

 

Mand, K. (2006). Gender, ethnicity, and social relations in the narratives of elderly Sikh men and

women. Ethnic and Racial Studies, 29(6), 1057-1071.

 

Sandhu, J. S. (2004). The Sikh model of the person, suffering, and healing: Implications for

counselors. International Journal for the Advancement of Counseling, 26(1), 33-46.

 

Sandhu, J. S. (2005). A Sikh perspective on life-stress: Implications for counseling. Candaian

Journal of Counselling, 39(1), 40-51.

 

Psychological

Studies, 55(2), 101-107.

 

Mand, K. (2006). Gender, ethnicity, and social relations in the narratives of elderly Sikh men and

women. Ethnic and Racial Studies, 29(6), 1057-1071.

 

Sandhu, J. S. (2004). The Sikh model of the person, suffering, and healing: Implications for

counselors. International Journal for the Advancement of Counseling, 26(1), 33-46.

 

Sandhu, J. S. (2005). A Sikh perspective on life-stress: Implications for counseling. Candaian

Journal of Counselling, 39(1), 40-51.(2), 101-107.

 

Mand, K. (2006). Gender, ethnicity, and social relations in the narratives of elderly Sikh men and

women. Ethnic and Racial Studies, 29(6), 1057-1071.

 

Sandhu, J. S. (2004). The Sikh model of the person, suffering, and healing: Implications for

counselors. International Journal for the Advancement of Counseling, 26(1), 33-46.

 

Sandhu, J. S. (2005). A Sikh perspective on life-stress: Implications for counseling. Candaian

Journal of Counselling, 39(1), 40-51.

 

Ethnic and Racial Studies, 29(6), 1057-1071.

 

Sandhu, J. S. (2004). The Sikh model of the person, suffering, and healing: Implications for

counselors. International Journal for the Advancement of Counseling, 26(1), 33-46.

 

Sandhu, J. S. (2005). A Sikh perspective on life-stress: Implications for counseling. Candaian

Journal of Counselling, 39(1), 40-51.

 

International Journal for the Advancement of Counseling, 26(1), 33-46.

 

Sandhu, J. S. (2005). A Sikh perspective on life-stress: Implications for counseling. Candaian

Journal of Counselling, 39(1), 40-51.

Candaian

Journal of Counselling, 39(1), 40-51.

(1), 40-51.

 

Additional Resources:

The American Counseling Association has Disaster Resources for Counselors listed at the

following link:

http://www.counseling.org/sub/dmh/resources.aspx

 

 The American Psychological Association Disaster Response Network updated their consumer

website, the Psychology Help Center (

"Managing Your Distress in the Aftermath of a Shooting." Below are some additional mass

shooting resources that they provided.

 

APA - Psychology Help Center:

• Managing Your Distress in the Aftermath of a Shooting

• Helping your children manage distress in the aftermath of school shootings

 Red Cross:

• "Red Cross Support Colorado Community After Tragic Shooting"

http://rdcrss.org/PkaGkW

 

 

• Taking Care of Your Emotional Health After a Disaster

http://www.redcross.org/wwwfiles/

 

Documents/pdf/Preparedness/checklists/EmotionalHealth.pdf

 NYU Child Study Center:

• School Shootings: Helping Teens Cope– A Guide for Parents. Institute for Trauma and

Resilience

http://www.aboutourkids.org/articles/school_shootings_helping_teens_cope_guide_paren

 

 

CNN:

• "Five Tips for Talking with Kids about Scary News"

 

 

SAMHSA:

• Disaster Distress Helpline

http://disasterdistress.samhsa.gov/

 

 

 

 

PTSD Research Quarterly:

• Impact of Mass Shootings on Survivors, Families and Communities

http://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/newsletters/research-quarterly/V18N3.pdf

 

 

Please feel free to contact either Muninder or Anneliese if you need any additional information.

We have attached a pdf of this for easier reading.

 

--

 

Muninder Kaur Ahluwalia, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Montclair State University

Department of Counseling and Educational Leadership

Montclair, NJ 07043

(973) 655-7622 (office)

(973) 655-7662 (fax)

muninder.ahluwalia@montclair.edu

 

 

National Campaign to Raise Awareness for Chinese American Communities About Mental Health

I'd say it's about time: check out the newest campaign hot off the presses so to speak from Ad Council and SAMHSA (Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration)

National Campaign to Raise Awareness for Asian American Communities About Mental Health

In more than a decade of work with clients and families from all walks of life, I have noticed that Asian American clients tend to delay seeking help for emotional and mental health symptoms - often MUCH longer than clients from other cultures.

This is not merely an inconvenience - it is dangerous.  Like any other health condition, mental health conditions worsen when left untreated, sometimes dangerously so. I have lost count of the number of times an Asian American family has told me something like "well, actually these problems have been going on for 3 years now-we didn't want to embarass him by seeking treatment, but now that it's an emergency here we are..."

The data has shown for many years that Asian American clients tend to have first contact with the mental health care system in the hospital.  Wouldn't you rather have first contact be early - when we can prevent all the harm and suffering that happens when a condition festers for years?

Counselors are available at most schools and colleges. Employee Assistance is available from many workplaces.  Your M.D. can screen and refer for support. It is smart and brave to confront our problems head on when-and prevent more severity and needless suffering.

請立即發佈

2010年7月8日

 

媒體聯絡： 

SAMHSA
媒體室                                                                    Ad Council 媒體室

240-276-2130                                                                          news@adcouncil.org

 

SAMHSA和Ad Council推廣全國性活動 

提昇美國華人社區對精神健康問題的認識

去年一年裏，每6位美國華人青年中就有1人患有嚴重的心理疾病

 

 

美國藥物濫用和精神健康服務管理局(SAMHSA)與美國公益廣告協會(Ad Council)聯手於今天宣布，他們將推廣一項全國性的公益廣告活動，教育和鼓勵年輕人勇於談論精神健康問題，促進有精神健康問題的患者康復。這些針對特定文化族群所推出的公益廣告，致力於促進社會對於精神健康問題的接受度，並減少人們對精神疾病所持有的負面態度。這些公益廣告是「全國少數族裔精神健康意識月」(National Minority Mental Health Awareness
Month)裏，一項針對華人、印地安人、西班牙裔/拉丁美裔和非裔美國人所推出的大型跨文化公益活動之一。

 

        精神疾病，包括抑鬱症、焦慮症、躁鬱症和精神分裂症等，在美國非常普遍。SAMHSA的數據顯示，從2004年到2007年，在18到25歲的美國華人中，平均有16.2%的人於過去一年中據報患有嚴重的心理疾病。儘管這個群體的發病率居高不下，卻只有九分之一 (11.2%)患有嚴重心理疾病的亞裔青年，在過去12 個月中接受了治療。總體上，少數族裔青年尋求治療的比例遠低於同齡白人的比例。

 

            「我們希望讓人們意識到精神疾病是有方法能夠有效治療的，而已經康復的人可以鼓勵有需要的人尋求幫助。」SAMHSA的行政官員Pamela S. Hyde博士表示。「這次針對華人社區所推廣的宣傳活動，將以貼近華人文化的方法來促進對話，支持有精神健康問題的朋友或家人。」

 

            這次公益廣告活動中的全新中文電臺廣告、平面廣告和網頁廣告條，由Ad Council委託亞裔廣告公司Kang & Lee製作，引導年輕人瀏覽這次活動的網站www.whatadifference.samhsa.gov/Chinese 去了解精神疾病，以便尋求方法支持正在接受治療的朋友，並搜尋更多相關資料。

 

            「我們非常高興能和SAMHSA繼續合作，把推廣精神疾病康復的活動擴展到華人社區。」Ad Council的總裁兼首席執行長Peggy Conlon表示。「這個跨文化廣告宣傳活動將有助於減少人們對精神疾病的偏見，同時為年輕人提供他們所需的資源，幫助他們支持有精神健康問題的朋友。」

 

            此活動還有一本專門的小冊子，標題為「您的支持是最寶貴的禮物」。
這本小冊子能提供年輕人工具和資源，以幫助正在接受心理疾病治療的朋友。這本小冊子的電子版本可於www.whatadifference.samhsa.gov/Chinese下載。

 

            「提昇華人群體對精神健康的認識是一個逾期已久的課題。」Kang & Lee 廣告公司總裁Cynthia Park表示。「為了社區的福祉和安康，重視此類倡議活動，加強對公眾的教育是非常重要的。」

 

            Ad Council和SAMHSA在2006年12月首次在全國推廣「精神健康康復」活動。請上網www.adcouncil.org 觀看相關廣告。此次的公益廣告將於媒體捐贈的廣告時段播出。

 

            SAMHSA是美國衛生及公共服務部旗下的公共健康機構，其宗旨為減少藥物濫用和精神疾病對美國社會的影響。(www.samhsa.gov)

 

            Ad Council (www.adcouncil.org)
是私營的非營利組織。該組織召集廣告界和傳媒界的人才，聚集媒體的設施，商業組織和非營利組織的資源，代表非營利機構和政府部門製作、傳播和宣傳公益活動。Ad
Council關注的問題包括提昇兒童的生活品質、預防保健、教育、社區安康、環境維護和強化家庭關係等。

           

3rd National Psychotherapy With Men Conference

So I got this announcement the other day:

"The 3rd National Psychotherapy With Men Conference is taking place on June 9th, 2012 at Fordham University in New York City, NY.      

We expect the available registrations to fill up quickly. So, we would like to offer you the opportunity to reserve your spot at a reduced early bird rate!  REGISTER NOW to take advantage of this reduced rate and register for the conference.  

To learn more about the 3rd National Psychotherapy With Men Conference including guest speakers, breakout sessions and the numerous benefits of attending, visit the conference website at www.fordham.edu/PMC."

Frankly, I love this idea.  It's too bad NYC is beyond my travel capacity right now  because I would be quite interested in this conference.  Gender matters as a core facet of our identities and experiences, and psychotherapy has not always served boys and men well.

One of the more common issues we have to train counseling interns on - is how to engage and help boys and men who may not be as verbose, expressive, or articulate as females.  Let's face it, Psychology is a pretty wordy field.  We like to write long dissertations and articles, give presentations, engage in insight oriented and validating discussions, explore our thoughts and behaviors and describe them in talk therapy. For those who are not comfortable engaging in this way, it behooves the therapist to find what works.  

At the school sites, some of us shoot Nerf basketballs into little hoops while chatting with boys.  We build towers or sand tray battle scenes that depict emotions in a way words fail to.

There is even data collected at our own clinic which shows that boys tend to show more symptom improvement when paired with a male therapist.  We have no data to explain why that is-but we have lots of theories.  Do males identify more with a male therapist? Can the male counselor be a role model or father figure? Do male therapist just "get" other guys and their communication styles differently? Do male clients feel they need to act differently with therapists of different genders?

Of course there are always exceptions.  Recently, a close friend asked me for a therapist referral.  He's a USMC war veteran, and I thought a male therapist who understood military culture might be the best fit.  Yet when I gave him some names of good psychologists I know - he hesitated.  "You know, I actually think I'd be more comfortable opening up with a woman. You know - maybe it's that whole Alpha Male thing but I don't think I can spill my guts like that with another guy."  Point taken.

To learn more:

Psychotherapy with Men Conference

Bread & Recovery

Pondering the rather unimpressive bread offerings at Safeway this week- I came upon an organic loaf boasting "Say No to Bread on Drugs", 16 grains and 5 seeds. Promising.

The verdict on the bread - very tasty.  Hearty and healthy and good both savory (turkey sandwich) and sweet (with orange marmalade).

What's even more inspiring, is Dave's personal journey.  Take a few minutes to view the video - he talks about going WAY off track in life, the way (as so many of us do ) he misunderstood his father, got caught up in drugs and petty crime, hit bottom in prison, and ultimately had to take responsibility for his choices.  From there, psychiatric treatment, the love of family, and his own hard work has led to quite a thriving bread story...

Dave's Killer Bread

I was very moved by this story, because he is sharing a story we don't hear enough about.  I have friends and clients who have kicked major addictions, who have struggled valiantly with severe mental health conditions-and people really can get better.  Treatments exist and they do work.  Sometimes it takes multiple rounds to do the trick, but when a person is ready - things can change. 

I do believe in punishment and making people accountable - but I also know that giving up on a "lost cause" person is often missing the resilience and humanity that still can exist under the illness.

Separations and Children

Many families, friends, and lovers have to endure separations due to military deployment, economic necessity, educational opportunity, incarceration, political strife, divorce, illness... In the age of Skype and texting, it's hard to imagine how humans ever survived long separations from their loved ones back in the days of waiting for boat-mail or lengthy journeys via horse caravan! It's hard enough for adults, but for children separations can be particularly frightening. The fear of abandonment lies at the heart of all of us, with its roots in childhood-when we depended on our caretakers for existence. When we are small, and in control of nothing - being away from family can be scary indeed. We always wonder if the parent or loved one is thinking of us. We worry if they are okay, if they miss us, if they obsess as we do... At YFS, our staff have worked with families enduring all sorts of separations. I wanted to share one of our favorite books for children dealing with separation from loved ones. Maybe you can incorporate this into your child's bedtime reading rotation:

TED talks: Dr. Nuland on recovery from Depression

As a fan of Dr. Nuland's books, I have an added appreciation of his journey from life threatening depression to a good second life.

He was treated with ECT, which is used only for the most severe depressions which do not respond to other treatments, and this was more than 30 years ago.  Watch the video of his talk, and come up with a mantra for yourself (maybe not the F bomb that he chose!)

Dr, Nuland on recovery from Depression

Family Caretaker Support

The rapidly aging demographic of our population has led to some important awareness about the hardships upon those who caretake for elderly loved ones.  Caretaking is an exhausting task that can put caretakers at risk for burn-out and exacerbate their own health issues. 

It is critical that caretakers get support, both practical respite care as well as emotional understanding and functional education.

When you have a loved one who is mentally ill - the task of caretaking may be just as great.  Family members often react in anger or fear when they don't comprehend a person's symptoms. Or, they oft go in the other extreme, going out of their way to "baby" the ill person out of concerns that they are "sick".  Neither extreme is helpful. Punishing someone who is ill does not make them better.  But treating a person who is ill yet, still intelligent and functional, as if they were totally disabled can be enabling and insulting.

Basica mental health education for family members can go a long way in making life healthier for everyone.

Locally in the Tri Cities area, there is an upcoming Family-to-Family Education program run by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and Family Education and Resource Center (FERC).

This series of 12 classes will help caregivers understand and support individuals who are suffering from serious mental illness (major depression, bipolar disorder, schizoaffective or schzophrenia, borderline personality disorder, anxiety, OCD, and panic disorders).  It will also address how to best support your ill loved one while maintaining your own long term well being.

The course is taught by trained volunteers who share your experience of having a loved one who is struggling with one of these mental disorders.

This FREE training series will begin August 31, 2011 from 6:30-9:00 p.m. in Union City

For Detailed information and to pre-register (registration required as spaces are limited): 

Michelle Wms-Smith (510)790-1010 or Michele@mhaac.org

FERC

The Triathlon Lesson

Every single supervisor, client, colleague, intern, or student I've had in the last 8 years has heard me rave about the mental health benefits of being physcially active.

There's a healthy body of research at this point (no pun intended) that indicates exercise can relieve mild mood and anxiety symptoms as easily as medications - and with no expense nor side effects. 

It always boggles my mind to speak with people who never break a sweat and live on Hot Cheetos-yet they can't seem to figure out why they don't feel well!

Of course exercise is just one aspect of health- a person in optimal health also needs to make time for social connections, meaningful work, a larger community, a healthy diet, and family.  We're all constrained by the budget of both time and funds in how we exercise. 

Even a short brisk walk break around a building during the workday is beneficial.  At public schools we gave kids pedometers and reminded them to aim for 2000 steps a day- doesn't matter if those steps are taken in the home, at school, at the store, just MOVE.  As a frugal graduate student I used to do yoga videos in my living room.

A colleague invited me to join in a relay sprint triathlon when I was on my final pre doctoral internship and struggling to complete my dissertation.  The camraderie and sheer joyful fun of running and biking, swimming and sweating turned out to be a powerful mental boost.  Indeed it built confidence and energy at a time when both had been flagging.  Since then I've "graduated" to 5K runs, 10K's, half marathons, full spring triathlons, and a 194 mile team relay.

I haven't participated in a triathlon for a few years now, mostly due to the expense of the gear and my limited availability for training.  Yet I always think about the experience fondly- the incredible thrill of competing against myself, and facing new challenges at every hard won step.  Mind you, these were mere sprint distance triathlons, but the rewards of completing a once impossible-sounding goal went far beyond the physical.  What was even more inspirational, was seeing dozens upon dozens of competitors who were significantly older than I am, and some youngsters too.  It is never too late, nor too early to get out there and do your best.

I recently attended a presentation By Dr. Cory Nyamora about the Therapist's role in reducing Childhood Obesity, and found it very timely.  The United States is facing a health epidemic of childhood obesity that threatens a painful future for far too many kids. 

I wish all these children had someone to guide them & teach them that their bodies are not the enemy!  Children have an inherent exuberance that tends to get dampened by too many days sitting in school chairs, and too many hours zoning on TV or video games.  Yet kids respond well to new adventures.  They need guidance to push themselves into learning their hidden potentials, to learn that after the intial discomfort-exercise becomes a natural high.

Dr. Nyamora runs a program that I wish I could enroll all our client families into: Fit Family Triathlon Team.  It's 12 week program with kids 8-14 years old that readies them (and a parent or two) for a California Kids' Triathlon.  Every Saturday the families go on fun outings to lose weight and build strength while spending quality time with family and new friends. 

For more information about Fit Family Triathlon Team & Dr. Cory Nyamora:

Endurance Center

Interested in a starter Sprint Triathlon?  A couple great local races for newbies:

Tri for Fun

Mermaid Series

 

Race to Nowhere - Fremont event to discuss testing & pressure on kids

I will be speaking as a member of a panel after the 7 pm showing May 21, 2011 of Race to Nowhere.  Please come watch the movie that has parents and communities talking about how high stakes testing is damaging education and child health. 

PRESS RELEASE: May 6, 2011

Contacts:

Lara York, Fremont Education Foundation 510-501-9675

Debra Watanuki, City of Fremont’s Human Relations Commission 510-921-8086

Sherea Westra, Fremont Unified District Teachers Association 510-299-4161

RACE SO WE ALL WIN

FREMONT, CA:  School reform has become an urgent national issue which must be discussed at our local level, which is why the Fremont Education Foundation (FEF), the City of Fremont’s Human Relations Commission (HRC) and the Fremont Unified District Teachers Association (FUDTA) have joined together to bring “Race to Nowhere” to Fremont on Saturday, May 21^st for two screenings at 2:00 and 7:00 p.m.

Unlike the other education documentaries, “Race to Nowhere” is the only film that shows what is actually happening to our kids as a result of current national policies and practices obsessed with testing, performance and competition rather than meaningful teaching and learning. “Race to Nowhere” finally gives voice to those on the front lines who are most affected by education policies - the students and teachers themselves. “Race to Nowhere” also is the only film to spotlight the intersection between health and education. “Race to Nowhere” invites all stakeholders to come together to find workable solutions. 

Filmmaker Vicki Abeles shares,  “As a mother, I experienced the stress firsthand and realized that no one was talking about it.  I felt compelled to speak out about this crisis by making a film and giving voice to the students, teachers, and parents.  I wanted to expose a deeper truth about our education system.  We are graduating a generation of robo-students, unable to think and work independently, creatively and collaboratively.”

“After viewing this film, I was compelled to find a way for more Fremontonians to share in this powerful experience and have meaningful conversations with the students, parents, grandparents,  teachers, business leaders, civic leaders throughout the City to find ways help our children lead healthier lives.  Our lives are successful not only measured our accomplishments but our journeys, mistakes and happiness.  When do we let our children today make mistakes?” Lara York, Board Member Fremont Education Foundation and Fremont Unified School District. 

“FUDTA invites all its members to explore these issues, together with the community, to share our experiences and hear those of others,” Sherea Westra, Vice-President of the Fremont Unified District Teachers Association.

“The health and well-being of our children is fundamental for our communities to thrive; it is a top priority for our society’s future.  We cannot pass the buck and say this is a problem for the schools to solve.  The solution must come from the entire community joining together to forge true reforms to ensure that our children have every opportunity to be healthy, inspired and contributing members of our communities,” Debra Watanuki, Commissioner Human Relations Commission.

“Race to Nowhere” is a call to action to challenge current assumptions on how to best prepare the youth of America to become healthy, bright, contributing and leading citizens. After seeing the film, your views on education and childhood will forever be changed.  The film empowers everyone to get involved and take ownership of what’s happening in our schools and communities. 

“Race to Nowhere”

Saturday, May 21^st

Washington West, Anderson Auditorium

2:00 p.m. screening followed by a discussion

7:00 p.m. screening followed by a panel discussion

Doors open 30 minutes before.

Purchase tickets online at: www.racetonowhere.com

$10 in advance.  $15 at the door.

Seating is limited.

 

 

The Fremont Education Foundation is a non-profit, tax-exempt, public charity, established in 1991, to encourage increased community involvement and investment in our schools. Our members include parents, educators, school administrators, business people, and others from our community.  We are an independent foundation that works closely with, but is separate from, the Fremont Unified School District.

The Fremont Unified District Teachers Association was chartered in 1965 and is the professional organization for the certificated personnel of the Fremont Unified School District. Our total membership is 1,800 full and part-time professionals. We are a charter of the California Teachers Association/National Education Association (CTA/NEA).

The City of Fremont's Human Relations Commission promotes and helps create a community
environment in which all men, women and children, regardless of race, religion, national origin, gender, disability or sexual orientation, may live, learn, work and play in harmony.

Visiting at Mission Peak Unitarian Universalist

Youth and Family Services (YFS) was invited to pay a visit to the congregation at Mission Peak Unitarian Universalist in Fremont.  Always happy to do outreach and talk with people about mental health work and education, I volunteered my Sunday morning.

As a public employee and non-secular person, I ground my work and my life in values of health and equality.  I try to avoid my own biases from creeping into the work by centering on the simple principle that one should strive to do what is healthy and promotes the well being of all.  All of us who serve the public need to keep our own personal beliefs and customs out of the business of helping those who may have very different belief systems. 

Religion can be a wonderous force in society, or it can be a source of great manipulation and harm.  I have seen people's whose faith saved and changed lives. And I have seen those who were judged and berated and harmed by dogmatic faith.

I appreciate the Unitarian Universalist mission statements and action guide which includes:

Providing educational experiences for all ages that encourage free and responsible search for truth and meaning and an acceptance of religious and social diversity.

Serving the community in accordance with our social conscience and our Unitarian Universalist principles.

Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations

The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all

Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part

This day's sermon focused on the notion of "To Thine Own Self Be True", but how being true has more to do with finding meaning and giving of oneself than with wallowing in our own pleasures and laziness.  I couldn't agree more.  I have found incredible life meaning and satisfaction by serving others, that would have been impossible by any of the other means we use to placate ourselves in modern society (shopping, TV viewing, drinking).

I was invited to the pulpit to share about the work of YFS, our presence in 21 public schools, our training of 25 graduate level interns, and the families we serve in English, Farsi, Spanish, Mandarin, and Hindi.  How our children suffer from grief and loss, anxiety and depression.  How families right here locally have become homeless, and the impact of divorce, incarceration, and other life adjustments that children struggle to understand and cope with.  How our infant toddler youth program teaches parenting and attachment to parents who may never have received nurturing care themselves.

Near the end of a lovely service that featured music (I'll admit my favorite was a Tom Waits song titled "Come up to the House"), meditation, thoughts from Ralph Waldo Emerson, a humorous children's story, and the sharing of personal joys and sorrows, the congregation passed around a collections plate on behalf of YFS.  I was touched that this small group of new friends I met merely an hour ago, gave generously of themselves and donated $500 to benefit the children and families of Fremont. It always moves me to be reminded that there are people who care enough to help those they do not personally know, simply because it is kind and right.

I ended my visit by accepting their kind offerings to the children and families of YFS, (and making an adorable set of handmade purchases in their holiday boutique to add to the play therapy toys at the office).

 

For more information about Mission Peak Unitarian Universalist Congregation overall:

office@mpuuc.org

www.mpuuc.org

A mental health support group for people living with depression and other related conditions meets Monday evenings 7:30-9:00 pm at the office of Reaching Across at 3833 Peralta Ave., Suite D in Fremont and is open to people inside and outside of the congregation.  For more info: Rev. Barbara Meyers at 510-796-5722 or Scotty 510-745-9500.

A support group for Families to help and cope with a family member suffering mental illness meets 2nd and 4th Tuesdays a month at 7:00 pm at Holly Community Center in Union City 31600  Alvarado Blvd. For more info: Patty Espeseth 510-727-2700 ext 4156 or Peggy Rahman 510-794-0860