Economy of Mind

I don't watch the news. I don't read the news. I hear about stuff because it's a big enough deal for people to talk about it. I know there are positives to knowing what's going on around me, but there are also positives to spending time with my husband and having a clean house, so they win. He's taking an Economics class right now and our lack of information is sometimes damaging to his ability to contribute to discussions.

This week I got an e-mail from our CEO. It arrived at 4:54 which means I only read six minutes of it before realizing it was time to go. A great deal of detail about government budget cuts in the mental health field. I didn't finish the e-mail (still haven't), but have heard comments made.

I started working here the same day as another guy. I am over Children's Services and he is just one of the regular adult therapists. He met me as we were walking in from lunch yesterday and asked which one of us had "seniority". I was completely lost as to why that mattered, but we had an exchange. Maybe he did because he was more experienced. Maybe they would choose the more indespensable one which would have to be me because I'm the only one that works with the kids. You know, stuff like that. Immediately following that conversation, I met with my supervisor who asked if I'd read the e-mail and I learned that if we start suffering as a result of the cuts, those with least seniority will be the first to be laid off.

That explains the question, right? Then my supervisor goes on to tell me that he has already spoken with the CEO and my position is rather secure based on my work in the community and my case load. *whew* It is unfortunate that anyone has to lose their job though. I think it pretty sad that mental health services are getting cut. I suppose they think that if they don't provide mental health services to people, eventually they'll dispose of themselves and they won't be using any more government money.

A little morbid, I know, but if my kids don't get the help they need, what little it is, I could pick out the ones who would commit suicide within a year if nothing in the home or school changes. I'm glad my kids won't feel the brunt of it for a while, but there are many adults that need mental health services as well.