Death by poverty, arms, or moral numbness

Area of Science:

• Child psychology
• Public health policy
• Social advocacy

Background:

• The current global political climate prioritizes military spending over child welfare.
• Government policies in the United States have specific detrimental effects on children's well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the negative consequences of prioritizing weapons over children's needs.
• To describe the impact of current US government policies on children.
• To identify advocacy strategies for mental health professionals.

Main Methods:

• Literature review on global child welfare and military spending.
• Analysis of US government policies and their effects on children.
• Framework development for mental health professional advocacy.

Main Results:

• Children face significant risks when societal resources are allocated to weaponry.
• US policies exacerbate these risks, impacting children's mental and physical health.
• Mental health workers possess unique skills for effective advocacy.

Conclusions:

• Shifting societal priorities from weapons to children's needs is crucial.
• Mental health professionals can play a vital role in advocating for essential child social programs.
• Policy changes are necessary to ensure the well-being of all children.