Even when the Detroit Lions win, I don't feel great | Letters to the Editor

There are many domestic expatriates — folks like me who moved out of Michigan but still support the Detroit Lions.

We long-suffering fans continue to be amazed at what's happening. A metamorphosis of monumental proportions is taking place. It is causing us to have shortness of breath, bruises on our arms from pinching ourselves and fatigue from brutal, frequent hugging.

The psychological implications are perplexing. One moment we are ecstatic at the unexpected victories we are experiencing week after week and, then, throat tightening fear that in the next game, the team will return to its heartbreaking past.

They almost did last Sunday. We are considering going to a shrink again, like we did when we were continually depressed. But, now it is to address these incredible mood swings. And, we knew tension would be high last week with the Thanksgiving game against the Packers and the college game, Saturday, where Michigan faced Ohio State. Lots of pressure. We all may need medication. We are realizing that winning is really hard. I don't know if I can take it ... all this winning. Winning! How strange. Meow!

Kelly Burke

Chocowinity, N.C.

The Detroit Lions are winning. Are you all in, or still afraid to believe? Tell us all about it at freep.com/letters.

Rent control would keep housing affordable

As a newer resident of the metro Detroit area, I write with grave concern about the escalating rent prices in our city. The current situation is particularly challenging for the average single-person household, jeopardizing their ability to afford decent housing.

Skyrocketing rents not only strain individual finances but also hinder our community's overall well-being and progression. We must address this issue promptly and thoughtfully. I urge policymakers to explore effective measures such as responsible rent control to ensure affordability without compromising the city's growth.

Let us prioritize the well-being of our residents and work collaboratively towards a solution that fosters an inclusive and thriving environment for all.

Sparkle Jackson

Davison

Everyone deserves a fair chance at housing

As a metro Detroit resident and a criminal justice reform advocate, I am deeply concerned about the issues individuals with criminal backgrounds face in accessing and maintaining housing. Individuals with lived experience are more likely to be discriminated against due to their criminal background regardless of what their convictions may have been or how long ago they received their convictions.

Restricting housing access to individuals with this lived experience only hurts these individuals, their families, and their communities. Oftentimes landlords use third-party background checks that automatically disqualify potential residents without any further questioning or intervention. The passage of the Fair Chance Housing Act in Michigan can eliminate these barriers and allow landlords to have open conversations with potential residents that can prove if they can pay and maintain housing despite their past.

In order to build strong communities, we must advocate for all community members and prioritize rehabilitation, not continued punishment.

Olivia Furlow

Sterling Heights

What should Lansing lawmakers do next? Tell us your 2024 wishlist for Gov. Whitmer, state Legislature, at freep.com/letters.

Therapists need respite, too

I write to shed light on a critical aspect of mental health care often overlooked — the challenging conditions faced by mental health therapists. Despite their invaluable contribution to our community's well-being, therapists are grappling with overwhelming workloads, inadequate compensation, and the profound impact of secondary trauma.

The shortage of mental health services places an immense burden on therapists, leaving them overworked and strained. The scarcity of resources not only hinders their ability to meet the growing demand for mental health support but also takes a toll on their own well-being.

Tasia Jackson

Canton

We can save lives, if we learn how

Suicide continues to be prevalent in all communities. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 48,000 deaths by suicide in the U.S. in 2021, making suicide one of the leading causes of death.

Suicide is preventable. The issue that most people have is that they do not know what to say to a person who may be having thoughts of suicide. There are many evidence-based trainings that teach how to ask about suicide, how to listen to a person and how to get the person with thoughts more help. The big question, is why hasn't more been done to protect life? Suicide is everyone's business, becoming alert will not only save a life but it could potentially save your own.

Javon Reese

Livonia

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, explore these resources, or reach the 988 Lifeline (formerly the National Suicide Prevention Hotline) by dialing 988 on your phone. You can also text the number or use the service's webchat. It provides free and confidential support, 24/7. After connecting, veterans can get specialized help by dialing "1."

Air pollution in Southwest Detroit puts residents at risk

As a Detroit resident, I am deeply concerned about the public health crisis caused by air pollution in Southwest Detroit. The residents of this community are facing severe health risks due to elevated levels of pollutants, impacting their quality of life and well-being. Asthma hospitalization rates are reportedly three times that of the state average.

The detrimental effects of air pollution, such as respiratory diseases and cardiovascular issues, disproportionately affect vulnerable populations in Southwest Detroit. It is imperative to address the root causes of this crisis and implement sustainable solutions that prioritize the health and safety of the community.

Government agencies, industry leaders and the community must collaborate to enforce stricter regulations on industry and trucking, invest in cleaner technologies, and promote public awareness of the risks faced by Southwest Detroiters. Our collective responsibility is to safeguard the health of Southwest Detroit's residents and ensure a cleaner, safer environment for generations to come.

Thor Person

Detroit

I'm grateful for the press, and the Free Press

Were it not for the investigative reporting by Messrs. Elrick and Schaefer 15 years ago, Kwame Kilpatrick could still be mayor. (Editor's note: Free Press columnist M.L. Elrick and Executive Editor Jim Schaefer, then reporters, broke the story about the former mayor's controversial text messages that showed he had lied under oath.) That's my recurring nightmare; it's also one of the reasons that I am a staunch advocate for freedom of the press. T

hanks to the Free Press in general, and M.L. Erick in particular, for continuing to shine a spotlight on the misdeeds of those who are supposed to serve the public. ("Kwame Kilpatrick has a new job, but he has shown he prefers thrills to paying his bills," Nov. 19, Detroit Free Press.) We need the Fourth Estate now more than ever.

Thomas E. Page

Detroit

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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions, rent control, fair housing | Letters to the Editor