Standing with Ukraine

It is not hyperbole that the Russian invasion of Ukraine has changed world history. Nations of the world have overwhelmingly joined together to decry Russia’s invasion. Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Fox News (2/27/22) stated that the NATO has come together in ways not seen in decades. This was evident in today’s (3/2/22) vote at the United Nations, 141 of the 193 member states voted to denounce Russia’s action and demand the immediate withdrawal from Ukraine land (Aggression against Ukraine). Only four member states, other than Russia, (Belarus, Eritrea, Syria, North Korea) voted against the resolution.

While it is obvious to state, war creates significant public health issues affect all aspects of human life. The longer this war continues, the greater cost to human life and the greater need for humanitarian aid. The UN estimates that 500,000 people have already fled Ukraine and that Europe should be prepared for millions of refugees.

I would remiss to highlight that Russian aggression has been on display for a long time. One recent example is Russian support for President Bashar al-Assad of Syria. This civil war was (and still is) brutal for the Syrian people. Statista has estimated that over 6 million Syrians are displaced internally with over 6 million Syrians having refugee status. It is important to note the differences in how the world reacted to the Syrian refugee crisis is vastly different to how we are responding to Ukrainian refugees, let alone how the USA is responding to refugees at our own borders.

If you are interested in helping the Ukrainian people or other refugees, you can donate your time or funds with some very good foundations or non-governmental organizations (NGOs). If you want to volunteer your time, NPR has identified some top organizations. The Washington Post has a good article on how to help Ukrainian refugees. If you have any further suggestions. Please let me know and I will add them to the list below.

I hope we learn to see ourselves in those being currently displaced and we can follow the famous poem, The New Colossus, by Emma Lazarus found on the The Statue of Liberty:

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

Some Resources for Further Information:

The Beginning

The field of public health focuses on population health while the field of family therapy focuses on systemic change in small systems (e.g., couples, families).  While the two fields seem to operating at different levels, it is my belief that these two fields can collaborate together to help individuals, couples, families, and communities create the healthy environments they desire.

I have been working with individuals, couples, families, and communities as a family therapist for over 20+ years.  An important part of my work has been to provide culturally sensitive care to those I serve.  In this quest, I became interested in the intersection between mental health policy, outcomes, and health status. In particular, I was interested in the relationship between the therapeutic relationship and health disparities. This led to my obtaining my M.P.H. from Drexel University to better understand the world of public health.

During this time in school I become increasingly aware of how family therapists have an unique opportunity to let their clients know of important public health issues that affect their social, emotional, psychological, and physical health.  Equally important is how family therapy theories can help public health officials understand community behaviors that could influence public health policy.

Family Therapy IS Public Health blog will be a place in which the literature of public health and family therapy is examined, explored, and elaborated upon.