This commentary is by Alice Scannell, a licensed independent clinical social worker from Fairfax.
As a mental health provider, I would like to thank our community for placing so much trust in the work of my profession, though I feel compelled to tamper down expectations in an effort to realistically and effectively manage challenges faced by our communities in these times.
I am writing this as my kids’ school is managing yet another threat of violence. Details are still scarce, but there is a heavy police presence. Fortunately, it was an early release day, so most of the students were able to leave the building.
Still, all staff and some students were forced into a lockdown procedure while armed officers surrounded the building. All after-school activities were canceled, so many first events of the spring season were lost, and students shifted online to connect with each other about what was known. It felt anxiety-provoking and routine all at once.
That was on the heels of news that a Vermont student attending a Minnesota college has been charged with plotting to inflict violence on his campus. He was arranging the purchase of guns, and had plenty of ammunition and detailed plans. That news was on the heels of the Nashville school shooting. And that news was on the heels of the last school shooting. And the one before that. And you get it.
Clearly the individuals behind any plans for violence are struggling to care for their mental health. We can all agree that makes sense. So, what do we do with that understanding?
There are many lawmakers who quickly turn to my profession for solutions, and I’m here to tell you all, we don’t have them. I appreciate the high compliment, thinking a social worker or counselor can make this all better, but if you haven’t spoken to someone who works in the field of mental health, let me tell you, we need help.
We can’t read minds, we can’t move in with people and manage supervision, we can’t control online lives, we are barely functioning in our current system that is plagued by long waitlists and closed programs, and we certainly cannot prevent a catastrophic incident of violence without reduced access to weapons, especially those designed specifically to cause mass casualties.
It is important to understand that mental health supports are most effective when they are provided in the context of a voluntary dynamic. I have worked in programs that mandated counseling in exchange for certain freedoms, and it is a mixed bag of how authentic those results can be.
There are options for involuntarily placing individuals in treatment centers, only after they have been brought to our attention through their behavior or concerned family/friends, and after meeting very strict criteria. If someone is skilled at hiding their troubles, we are extremely limited in how we can try to help that person reflect, connect and be safe.
I am a true believer in the work of my profession. We do incredible things by building relationships that foster transformative change for individuals, families and communities. And we’re not superheroes. My plea is for all lawmakers to stop pretending we are.
These sentiments apply to the roles of our teachers, police officers and other community positions. Even when everyone shows up doing their best work, it’s still not enough to curb the gun violence that consistently traumatizes communities. These are not failures of our roles; these are honest capacity realities that need to guide meaningful legislation.
