Letters on mental health, Oklahoma school needs and what love is
Personal journey raises mental health awareness. You're not alone
I struggled with mental health from a young age and have even attempted to hurt myself. Luckily, I was not successful. Even though it can be an uncomfortable conversation, it's not a subject I shy away from because I firmly believe we can help each other rise from darkness when we're honest about our struggles.
Recently losing my cousin to suicide was a painful reminder of the importance of having resources available. I can't help but wonder if he had known about Oklahoma’s new 988 Mental Health Lifeline. Did he ever try to call or text? Could his family have had more days, months or even years?
As a parent, we often prioritize our children’s well-being above our own, thinking we can deal with our problems later. But the truth is, neglecting our mental health can be detrimental not only to us but to our loved ones, as well. You can’t pour from an empty cup.
From a teacher's standpoint, I would give just about anything to help these kids understand that they aren't alone with the deep feelings they have and that they have resources if needed.
A lot of time, parents and teachers alike struggle to go to their loved ones for help because they are in positions where they feel like they always need to be “strong.”
I encourage all Oklahomans to learn about available mental health resources in your community, such as calling or texting 988, and share them with loved ones.
— Carolyn Randolph, Oklahoma City
Read Act Reauthorization Act has global impact on children
A quality education can often be taken for granted. Every day, kids go to school and are provided the opportunity to learn, grow and develop into brighter individuals. For many of us, whether right now or “back in the day,” school can feel like something that is second nature. For myself, obtaining a quality education from a young age allowed me to experience a handful of opportunities and pursue a college education. The same can’t be said for millions of other kids around the world.
Did you know that 58 million primary-aged schoolchildren around the globe are currently unable to attend school? Did you also know that 260 million of those same-aged children don’t have access to quality education? These are kids that are missing out on the fruitful opportunities that come with obtaining a quality education and they deserve our help. That is why I’m writing in support of the reauthorization of the READ Act.
The READ Act, which was passed on Sept. 8, 2017, emphasizes the value of education for economic growth around the world. The act has helped strengthen education systems, improve literacy and has reached over 122 million educators and learners since its implementation. The READ Act Reauthorization Act would reauthorize the READ Act for an additional five years. I urge readers and U.S. Sen. James Lankford to help support this act. Ultimately, this would help promote education worldwide which in turn helps increase economic growth, decrease violence, reduce poverty and save lives.
— Matthew Irungu, Norman
Oklahoma schools need help. Agreement is step in right direction
As I talk to superintendents and principals in schools across Oklahoma, I hear a recurring theme.
We need help.
School leaders, both urban and rural, tell me they need help retaining their best teachers. They need help hiring new teachers. They need help with increased funding for technology, facilities, staff and faculty salaries. They need help increasing school safety.
Providing necessary aid is one of the primary tasks Oklahoma’s Legislature must tackle each spring. Everyone who has ever worked in or around the legislative process knows that creating law and crafting a state budget is difficult work.
For the last several weeks, we’ve read in The Oklahoman’s pages about negotiations on education funding. Some news was encouraging and other times it was a trading of soundbites.
The school funding language announced recently brings a significant investment to public education. With an additional $500 million directed to the funding formula and $125 million being invested in the Redbud Fund, the school leaders I’ve talked with will receive increased monies to address salaries, capital needs, and teacher hiring and retention.
This year’s education budget is a 20% increase in state aid to schools, and the Redbud Fund appropriation, which includes $81 million in new funding, will provide a substantial boost for schools that receive less funding for capital expenses.
Additionally, the budget includes funding specifically for reading specialists and school resource officers, addressing the needs I hear from local education leaders and parents alike.
Leadership in the Legislature and governor’s office should be applauded for negotiating an agreement that provides more opportunities for our students, educators and schools. Yes, the process is oftentimes unsightly, but what matters most is that our state leaders came together to accomplish something big for Oklahoma students.
This doesn’t solve all of our problems, but it’s a step in the right direction and for that, I am grateful and excited for the future.
— Brent Bushey, Oklahoma City
Love is not merely thoughts and prayers. We need action on issues
“What is love?” asks Haddaway in the classic '90s dance-pop song. I love my spouse. I love my children. I love tacos. Those three loves are very different. Some words get diluted due to overuse. “Love” is one of them. We have one word for “love” in the English language. Japanese employs two. Spanish has a noun for love and three options for the verb “to love.” The ancient Greeks had four ideas of love: philia, friendship, storge, familial, eros, romantic and agape, the highest form of love. Agape is self-sacrifice for the benefit of another.
In 1 John 4, agape describes the love of God. It is boundless, unconditional compassion and kindness. In verse 16 it even claims that “God is agape.” Hearkening back to the Gospel of John, the author implores us to “love one another” and “abide in love,” so that we will “abide in God.” Loving God and loving neighbor are inseparable. The reverse is also true. Hating a neighbor keeps us from abiding in God. Withholding care and concern, practicing indifference toward another, or not actively loving others means we are not with God.
There have been 200 mass shootings in America in 2023. That is not a loving environment. Communicating with bullets is hateful. By continually refusing to care enough about the ongoing onslaught, by practicing indifference toward hate-filled gun violence, we are not loving each other or abiding in God. 1 John 4:20: “Those who say, ‘I love God,’ and hate a sibling… cannot love God.”
According to Mental Health America, Oklahoma ranks 38th in access to mental health care and has a higher prevalence of adults with mental illness. Oklahoma was 12th in gun-related deaths in 2022, according to the CDC. Suicide accounted for 68% of gun deaths, while homicide was 30%. We need to address mental health and we need commonsense gun laws that are compatible with the Second Amendment.
What is love? Love is action, not merely thoughts and prayers. Love is sacrificing so that others can survive and thrive.
— Rev. Adam Young, Del City
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Letters on mental health, Oklahoma's school needs and love
