September 17, 2019 Issue, Page 4 of 10

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Page 4 The Elk City News, Elk City, Oklahoma Tuesday, September 17, 2019 (ae IAG FE Opinion Page “ElkCituNews Serving Western Oklahoma since 1901 Interim studies focus on options for students By Rep. Todd Russ We are in the middle of interim studies at the Capitol, many that focus on different aspects of educating our chil- dren. I attended a study last week sponsored by the chair of the House Common Education Committee in which I and other lawmakers heard from experts on Work Based Learning opportunities. Those attending the study heard details about connect- ing internships or work study options with students and businesses in the hope of providing more training and cer- tifications opportunities to students with the overall goal of graduating students who are better prepared with the skills needed to enter the workforce. Some school districts and counselors are forging ahead in this area, so we heard from a few who shared their mod- els of operation and their success rates. We also examined Faith should be no barrier to the partnership between CareerTech and higher education in training students in high-demand workforce areas such as nursing and other health-related fields, engineering, aerospace, digital electronics and others. Another study focused on classroom discipline. Many of our teachers deal with the need to discipline students on mental health treatment a daily basis, yet they are tasked with ensuring the safety By James Neal, Enid News cure depression. Loving more to prevent suicide. sation with my doctor. and integrity of both the student they are disciplining and & Eagle, Okla. Jesus doesn’t always cure How should they -- we -- do Unfortunately, in one of all the other students in their classroom. We heard from Pastor Jarrid Wilson would PTSD. Loving Jesus doesn’t that? the most pervasively Chris- public school teachers, mental and behavioral health ex- have been a good source for always cure anxiety. But that “If you believe churches tian corners of America, far perts, the director of education at the Office of Juvenile any column on depression, doesn’t mean Jesus doesn’t should do more to help pre- offer us companionship and too many people never have Affairs and the deputy superintendent of student support mental illness and suicide vent suicide, here’s one tan- that conversation. And, our at the state Department of Education. We also received awareness. comfort. He ALWAYS does gible and quick way to help information from the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advo- Wilson, associate pastor at that.” right now,” Simpson wrote. outcomes for untreated men- cacy. megachurch Harvest Chris- These words highlight “Stop telling people they can tal illness are staggeringly This gave us a well-rounded look at all areas of disci- tian Fellowship in Riverside, the crux of Wilson’s work cure their mental illness with tragic. For Oklahomans ages pline. Practices have changed significantly from when I Calif., and co-founder of the and legacy -- his brave fight only prayer.” 15 to 34, suicide is the sec- was a child. We are looking for new techniques and ap- mental health nonprofit An- against depression, and his Simpson wasn’t degrad- ond leading cause of death, proaches to address these challenging issues. We want all them of Hope, built a reputa- tireless efforts to remove ing prayer, or saying people according to the Oklahoma of our children to be in a safe environment to learn when tion around sharing his own barriers between faith and of faith shouldn’t pray when Department of Human Ser- they come to school. For those that cause discipline prob- struggles with depression, mental health treatment. facing tough challenges. Nor lems, we want to find positive approaches to help them and trying to break down As he pointed out, be- am I. But, if you wouldn’t vices, and the state has the and assess the root causes of their behavior so we can put the stigma -- particularly in ing a person of strong faith tell someone to just pray eighth-highest suicide rate them on track to learn alongside their peers. We also want Christian circles -- around doesn’t mean you won't away cancer or heart failure, in the nation. to ensure our teachers have the support they need to main- mental health treatment. suffer depression or mental why would you take that ap- If we are to overcome tain control in their classrooms. Hearing from all of these I would have loved to illness. And, seeking pro- proach with mental illness? those statistics, and save experts gives us a good start on how to frame any potential have written this week about fessional mental health care Tam a person of faith and more of our loved ones and Wilson’s continuing work doesn’t mean you have any prayer. I also am a long-time legislation to address some of the issues. neighbors, we all -- whether to raise awareness of de- less faith. sufferer of clinical depres- As always, I serve you — my constituents of District 55 we are people of faith or not pression and suicide, and to Very few Christians would sion, and am a patient un- - first. Next in line is our great state. Thank you for giving -- need to take up Jarrid Wil- break down the toxic stigma make the claim that some- der medical treatment for me the opportunity to represent you at the Capitol. God son’s work, and continue to and barriers that keep people one was of weak faith if they that condition. But, before I bless you and God bless Oklahoma! State Representa- from seeking the mental went to a doctor for cancer was a patient for my depres- break down barriers between tive Todd Russ can be contacted by e-mail atTodd.Russ@ health care they need. treatment. They would rally sion, I was a Christian who mental health treatment and okhouse.gov or by phone at (405) 557-7312.states. A pri- But, tragically, that work around that person, and pray hesitated to seek treatment, mary challenge is crafting a law that doesn’t trample on those in need. We need to will have to carry on with- for God to work through the because I didn’t want to risk constitutional rights. out Jarrid Wilson. He died doctor’s hands. But, unfortu- being “outed” as a person of finally accept there is no U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Cheyenne, told a recent town by suicide on Monday, one nately, when it comes to ill- weak faith. segment of society, no pro- hall audience, “The potential for abuse there on down the day before World Suicide nesses above the shoulders, I may never have sought fession, no walk of life and road is incredible.” That sentiment is shared by at least Prevention Month. The day some segments of American the treatment I needed if a no class of people untouched one Oklahomadistrict judge who wrote us recently to ex- he died, Wilson posted a Christianity still take the loving and faithful pastor by depression, mental illness press his reservations about red flag laws. series of haunting Tweets view that “if you’re right hadn’t pointed out to me and suicide. Someone you Rep. Kendra Horn of Oklahoma City, the only Demo- highlighting the prevalence faith and proper medical know, someone you love, with Jesus, all will be right crat in Oklahoma’s congressional delegation, agrees cau- of suicide. with your head.” treatment are not mutually is fighting the darkness of tion is needed on this issue, in part because of its potential “Officiating a funeral for The toxic unintended exclusive in any way. He led impact on those with mental illness. a Jesus-loving woman who consequence is churchgo- me to the wisdom of Sirach mental illness right now. “Not everyone who lives with mental health issues is a took her own life today,” he ers become afraid of being 38: “Honor physicians for Mental illness gives nary a danger to themselves or others,” Horn said last week. “So wrote shortly before he died. seen as weak in their faith their services, for the Lord crap which side of the tracks when we're thinking about these things, we have to make “Your prayers are greatly if they seek out treatment. created them; for their gift you hail from, or how much sure that we're not further stigmatizing mental health.” appreciated for the family.” And that can delay or even of healing comes from the money you have. Likewise, It’s a good point. Yet Oklahoma’s high rate of mental In another post Monday, prevent lifesaving medical Most High, and they are re- we need to be indiscriminate illness, something publicized extensively in recent years he highlighted Christians’ treatment. warded by the king ... The and pervasive -- in our com- amid efforts to secure more state funding and treatment, need to look beyond the con- Ina 2013 blog post, Chris- Lord created medicines out passion, support and love for could be viewed as exactly the reason to have a red flag fines of the church for men- tian author Amy Simpson of the earth, and the sensible those battling mental illness, law. tal health treatment: pointed out a LifeWay Re- will not despise them.” This is an emotional issue with no easy solution. But the “Loving Jesus doesn’t al- search study that found 64% Those words finally drew especially when we find conversation around it is worthwhile and needs to con- ways cure suicidal thoughts. of Christian evangelicals me to an uncomfortable, but them within the sanctuary of tinue. Loving Jesus doesn’t always believe churches should do possibly lifesaving conver- our faith. Cherokee Strip Celebration commemorates culture Enid News & Eagle, Okla. light of each year’s parade is Block Party, sponsored by snacks and drinks (two Honorees this year are on the courthouse lawn at How do you commemo- the appearance of the long- Main Street Enid, 6-9 p.m. drinks, beer or wine for those astronaut Owen K. Garriott 12:30 and 1 p.m. rate history’s largest land horn cattle. Friday at 217 N. Washing- 21 and older, soda and water and former Enid Mayor Wil- To close out Saturday’s run? On the day before, festivi- ton. The event will include for younger participants). liam E. “Bill” Shewey. events, the NOC Jets base- With this weekend’s ties begin with a full day of games to play, karaoke and a Saturday events kick off at At 9:30 am. Saturday, Cherokee Strip Celebration, western movies, 9 a.m. to 6 fundraiser to paint Scrabble 9 a.m. at Stride Bank Center western-themed events be- ball team will have a ring which marks the 126th an- p.m. Friday at Public Library tiles for a new game being with the annual Enid Walk gin in earnest on the court- ceremony, presenting their niversary of the 1893 Land of Enid and Garfield Coun- installed on the west side of of Fame awards ceremony, house lawn, with live mu- 2019 NJCAA World Series Run and the birth of Enid. ty, 120 W. Maine, followed the library. which recognizes residents sic by The Branders, food championship rings, 1:30 There’s plenty to do at this an Indian taco lunch served The games and karaoke who have “demonstrated trucks, vendors, a petting p-m. at David Allen Memo- year’s Cherokee Strip Cel- by Enid Intertribal Council, will be free. There will be a lifetime of service to the zoo, “The Oklahoma Kid” rial Ballpark. ebration. 11 am. to 1 p.m. Friday on a $25 charge for partici- community in general,” or trick roper and other activi- So plan to commemorate The popular parade will the Garfield County Court pants 21 and older and $12 have “made an extraordinary ties. begin at 10:30 a.m., featur- House lawn. for those younger than 21 contribution or act of self- Following the parade, an our historic culture with ing horses, marching bands An interesting new event to paint the Scrabble tiles, lessness or statesmanship for “old western gun fight” will a multitude of events this and more. An annual high- this vear is the Paint & Plav which includes supplies. Enid.” according to the citv. take place with re-enactors weekend in Enid.