Contact:
James Radack
(703)838-7539
RECENT SCHOOL VIOLENCE IS WAKE-UP CALL FOR THE NATION
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (March 26, 1998) "The Arkansas schoolyard shooting and other recent acts of school violence are a wake-up call to the nation about our children," said Michael Faenza, President and CEO of the National Mental Health Association.
"However, we must not allow our emotions to drive us toward policies that worsen the situation. Toughening juvenile sentencing measures are not the answer. We must focus our attention on meeting the emotional and mental health needs of our nation's children."
-- One in five children suffer from diagnosable mental, emotional or behavioral disorders.
-- Approximately four million children and adolescents, 9-17 years old, suffer from a serious emotional disturbance.
-- Unfortunately, over two-thirds of these children do not receive mental health services.
-- Left untreated, these disorders can lead to school failure, substance abuse, delinquent behavior, violence and even suicide.
-- The vast majority of children with serious emotional disturbances, though, are not violent.
"We here at the National Mental Health Association like so many Americans were horrified to hear the news about the shooting in Jonesboro," said Faenza.
"We applaud President Clinton for directing the Attorney General to study the recent school violence and urge Ms. Reno to review the availability and coordination of mental health services for students. We must make sure that children have somewhere to turn to before they act out in violence against others or themselves."
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