Thursday, January 17, 2013
Gov. Deval Patrick unveiled legislation on Wednesday that would tighten gun control laws in Massachusetts while increasing funding for mental health services and enhance background checks. Is this sensible, or reactionary?
Are new proposed laws regarding guns in Massachusetts and mental health services sensible and pragmatic steps, or reactionary measures that won't increase safety? Gov. Deval Patrick introduced new legislation Wednesday along those lines in the wake of the school shootings in Newtown, CT. "I am encouraged by the palpable consensus in our Legislature that the time for action is now. All of us must pull in the same direction to bring about real change in this state and across the country," Patrick said in a press release. The bill would require gun purchasers to undergo background checks at gun shows, reduce access to high-powered rounds of ammunition, and limit licensed individuals to purchasing a maximum of one gun per month. Punishments …
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Despite the holiday season, many are feeling sadness after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. Here are ten ways you can take action to start healing.
This past week has been a challenging one for all of us as we struggle to move through the holiday season after the tragic event that was the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting on Dec. 14. This column, my last for this year, was going to focus on New Year’s Resolutions and goal setting but I thought it’d be more helpful to focus on thoughts of healing. Many of the essential teachings of yoga talk about the struggle we have as humans and techniques we can use to ease our suffering. Many of these actions live in the mindfulness realm and emphasize things like meditation and attitudes of forgiveness and compassion. Along with these mindfulness-inspired ideas are other techniques that are inspired by medicine and general wellness. So, as …
Saturday, June 30, 2012
There are several neighborhood resources for your family, but mental health experts recommend you contact your primary physician to start.
Boston's families have new tools to deal with mental illness and stress in children, thanks in part to new federal grants. There are numerous mental health resources and services available in Boston, but the first line of prevention is the family's pediatrician, said Debby Allen, Boston Public Health Commission's Director of the Bureau of Child, Adolescent and Family Health. One new program is Project Launch, which is targeted to help very young children, who don’t have serious manifestations of serious illinesses, but are acting up, or in life situations such as being homeless, or instability, such as a having mother suffering from depression. These programs are available at three Boston sites, and employ early childhood clinicians: …
Keith Champney
10:50 am on Monday, January 28, 2013
The NRA has its roots in the Union Army of the North. Both George Wood Wingate and Ambrose Burnside served as Union generals before founding the NRA. Ambrose Burnside lamented over the poor marksmanship of the Union Army when firing at Confederates soldiers. The KKK was founded by Confederate veterans. They couldn't have possibly been on more opposite sides, more ›