ACE and America's future

I find it interesting that data and history would point to the importance of investing in our children for our future and the progress of society. However, we seem to invest less in how much we pay teachers as a country who are responsible for the formation of tomorrow's leaders and our future. Given that we know ACE events are negative predictors for future health outcomes and put people at risk for other things and risky behaviours, why does childhood psychiatry and those area of health face some of the most dire shortages of providers? In areas of the country, some people have to wait many months just to get an appointment to see a psychiatrist to see their child. We have funding and other research being poured into other fields, and yet it seems as though the healthcare field is lagging behind in providing the infrastructure and support pediatric psych needs to flourish and develop and be more involved in promoting the health of our children. A large number of adults today are estimated to experience mental health conditions, and I would venture to guess that those did not just arise de novo later in life. Granted with many things we have discussed in this class that have been the subject of stigmatization, how might we promote discourse and drive funding and support towards growth in supporting our children's health and future education?  

Happy holidays