Whilst the prospect may seem daunting, it is essential to confront the stark realities that we, and our children, are being steered towards - a world teeming with profound pain, tragedy, and horror. I may appear as a harbinger of doom, ceaselessly alerting about an imminent crisis. My concerns might be dismissed as hyperbole, but I am merely amplifying the sentiments of my spirit animal, Dr. Alexandre Lacassagne.
Dr. Alexandre Lacassagne, a trailblazer in forensic science, astutely observed, “Justice withers, prison corrupts, and society gets the criminals it deserves.” This insightful statement, articulated over a century ago, echoes louder today. As we scrutinise our environment, it becomes clear that the social determinants of crime and mental illness are closely intertwined, and our current systems fall short in addressing these fundamental issues.
I am convinced that it is only a matter of time before the younger generation grapples with significant challenges. The situation can, and likely will, deteriorate further. However, I will refrain from delving into the distressing specifics.
We are helpless against the looming crisis unless we band together to deconstruct our existing mental health, social, and justice systems and reconstruct them with an emphasis on family and connection. We need to supplant hierarchies with a value system that prioritises community. This might seem like an unreachable ideal - a total transformation rather than gradual changes. It may appear radical, but I see no other option. If we fail to act, we will be accountable for the impending disaster.
The factors contributing to crime and mental illness often overlap significantly. Poverty, trauma, and lack of access to healthcare and education are common threads interwoven in both criminal behaviour and mental health issues. Addressing these determinants is crucial to nurturing a safer and healthier society.
To effectively tackle these issues, we need a comprehensive approach that emphasises improving the social determinants of health. This includes providing extensive mental health care, bolstering community support networks, and investing in education and job training programmes. I am uncertain if this will occur in our lifetimes or even in our children’s lifetimes. However, there is a resource that we currently possess that I believe can reverse this tide. To me, the most potent tool we have is the ability of a parent to nurture and uplift their child. It can be challenging, it can feel like you are sinking, it can feel like they’re resisting us at times, and it can seem futile at times, but we need to persist - WE must persist. I see no other way.
Given the current trajectory, I foresee a significant surge in serious violent offences in the near future. The amalgamation of untreated mental health issues, social isolation, disconnection, and systemic failures cultivates fertile ground for such behaviours. It is crucial to address these underlying factors now to avert future tragedies. Parents, teachers, we are the solution. We cannot depend solely on government, mental health services, child family services, or financial institutions. Our children need us, and we are the only ones who can rectify this.
Dr. Lacassagne’s words serve as a stark reminder that the state of our society is mirrored in the criminals it produces. To change this, we must address the root causes of crime and mental illness by fostering family/community and connection. Only then can we hope to build a safer, healthier future for our children.
