Kellevision

"I Don't Care" - The Fallacies of Poor Management

In working with clients struggling with depression I often find that the work environment provides a lot of distress and discontent.  I've not been exempt from these influences myself and always find the strategies of management to be somewhat curious.

The University of Texas Shooting

It was a sad day here in Austin as we watched yet another student of the University of Texas shoot himself to death.  We are reminded of Charles Whitman who did the same thing in 1966. 

Forest Pharmaceuticals Pleads Guilty to Illegal Promotion of Celexa, False Claims about Lexapro and Celexa

The Department of Justice has issued a press release regarding criminal charges against the pharmaceutical company responsible for the manufacture of Lexapro and Celexa.

Alcoholics vs. Teetotalers: Who Lives Longer?

Alcoholics.  A recent article in Time reports that heavy drinkers live longer than nondrinkers.  Moderate drinkers faired the best.  But the finding that heavy drinkers came in second - above teetotalers - stunned many. 

The Prostitute in the Alley

I work in a homeless shelter so I see a lot of street people.  While leaving the building the other day I overheard two coworkers derogatorily discussing a well known prostitute who was in the alley.  It made me sad.  If only they knew.

Most prostitutes I've worked with have had a long history of sexual abuse, often starting in early childhood.  They were trained as children that they were on this Earth to provide sexual favors to whoever asked.  And they carried this into adulthood.  Drugs and alcohol are often involved to numb the emotional pain of the early sexual abuse.  Many attribute prostition to drug or alcohol abuse, but the sexual abuse often preceded the addiction.  The person continues to use alcohol and/or drugs to numb the pain to the continued sexual abuse as an adult.  So when I see a prostitute, male or female, this is what I think of.  They should not be a subject of scorn, but of empathy.

 

 

 

The Fallacies of Suicide Prevention

Through the years I have attended numerous Suicide Prevention training programs.  They always raise a great deal of concern and many questions for me.  My colleagues and I often discuss this, but rarely do so in public.  Perhaps the conversation should be brought to the fore.

The Last Psychiatrist and "Honor Killings"

On his blog, The Last Psychiatrist, discusses 2 cases of "honor killings".  He explores the motivations behind them and suggests an interesting solution for preventing them in future generations.

The Art of Trauma

If you want to know what is going on in a child's mind, the best thing to do is hand them a crayon, not talk to them.

My Sister is Driving Me Crazy

My sister is driving me crazy.  Darn it.  I know what that means.

Clients, Politics and Religion

A close colleague, Dave Ray, has posted an interesting article on his website about social work and politics.  His observations about the place of policitics in social work is intelligent and germane.  The same should be said of religious views.