AHP is an organization committed to creating conditions that allow people across the globe to reach their full potential, to live a focused and purposeful life, free from unnecessary suffering, strife, poverty, violence, and war. To that end, AHP also commits itself to causes that cultivate those conditions, whether those be educational, legislative, policy related, creating dialogues, or cultivating empathy. If you want to join us in taking action that realizes Humanistic Principles, explore the possibilities listed below to see if any of them resonate for you.
Local:
June Trauma Conference
National:
Pending Legislation: Write all of your federal legislators and tell them what you think about these bills.
Mental Health in Schools Act
House Bill 751
The Mental Health in Schools Act provides funding for school-based comprehensive mental health programs,
services and supports.
Talking Points:
- Children spend most of their day in school. It is a critically important setting for recognizing and addressing children’s mental health needs.
- Thirteen percent of youth aged 8-15 live with mental illness severe enough to cause significant impairment in their day-to-day lives. Many go undetected and untreated, often preventing students from effectively participating in school.
- When students living with mental illness are linked with effective mental health services and supports, it greatly increases their academic performance.
- Discuss successful school-based programs in your state. (NAMI, 2012)
Achievement through prevention act
Senate Bill 541
The Achievement Through Prevention Act provides support for states, local educational agencies and schools to increase implementation of school-wide positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) and early
intervening services. This bill promises to improve student academic achievement and to reduce disciplinary
problems in schools while improving coordination with similar activities and services provided under the federal special education law.
Talking Points:
- PBIS is effective in resolving behavioral concerns and improving the school climate.
- PBIS helps to link students living with serious mental health needs with services and supports.
- PBIS increases academical achievement and student progress, including for students living with mental illness. (NAMI, 2012)
Click here to review what PBIS is: http://www.pbis.org/school/
Keeping All students Safe Act
House Bill 1381
An investigation led by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) found widespread use of harmful restraint and seclusion in schools across the country that have led to injuries and even death. The Keeping All Students Safe Act will prevent and reduce the use of restraints and seclusion in schools. It will also ensure the safety of students and school personnel and will promote a positive school climate and culture. The time is long overdue for federal standards governing the use of restraint and seclusion in schools.
Talking Points:
- Every child should be safe and protected while in school, especially those living with mental illness.
- The misuse of restraint and seclusion in public and private schools is often at the hands of untrained staff. This bill will help to address this grave concern by providing training funding for schools.
- The media documented cases across the country of students being injured by school staff using restraint and seclusion. The time is long overdue to address this crisis.
You can review the language, the co-sponsors and the pending status for all of these bills by visiting thomas.loc.gov (use the bill number to search for the bill.)
Here are ways to identify your federal representatives to tell them what you think about these and other bills:
Contacting the Congress: http://www.
National Write your Congressman (Congress person): http://www.nwyc.com/
Global:
Want to help address the HIV/AIDS epidemic and aftermath in Africa? Check out the great work AVERT is doing in keeping families together, educating, and helping communities to sustain themselves in caring for their families and children affected by the AIDS epidemic.
http://www.avert.org/aids-hiv-
Want to get involved in the UN’s work on evaluating and improving the status of women in all countries, addressing issues of oppression, violence, education, access, and legislation? Check out the work being done by UN Women.