No Keener Revelation of a Society’s Soul

“There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.” ~ Nelson Mandela

Jennifer Whitten, Grand Traverse Probate Court judge, ended her presentation to my Traverse City Sunrise Rotary Club with this quote.

It made me think about Northern Michigan’s soul.

It made me think about how we treat our kids.

Sure, many positive things are happening here to protect our kids’ mental health — but are we trying hard enough?

And are we focused on the right things?

Or are we settling for “good enough” and investing in things that have little impact?

My challenge to you:

1) Take 5 minutes and reflect on your role in caring for our kids.

If you’re unsure about what your role could or should be, take 15 minutes and read?this youth mental health advisory?by the Surgeon General.

2) If you haven’t yet done so, please?plug into the We Fight community?— a community of citizens with one agenda; to better project our kids’ mental health.

We Fight?is so close to 1000 people. Will you help us get there today?

There’s power in numbers and people with new, creative ideas.

We need you.

Join us, and let’s build citizen-led public support and political will for treating our kids better — lots better.

Ten years from now, when we peer into our soul, let’s be proud of what it reveals because of our work together today.