Problem Solution Essay on Recidivism in Colorado

The Need for Art Therapists in the City of Pueblo Colorado

Student’s name

English 122-01H

Professor Williams

Student i

10 July 2017

Outline

Thesis Statement: Because there is a need for art therapists in Pueblo, a sales plan presentation needs to be presented before the mental health business, Colorado Mental Health Institution, in order to convince them of the benefits to the community. Comment by Williams, Scott: Thesis statement that has the Problem, Solution and the specific Audience that can support, fund and implement the Solution.

A. Benefits of art therapy

B. Audience Comment by Williams, Scott: Audience, Thesis and Purpose are required. Source and Scope is a plus.

C. Source and Scope of Research

D. Purpose and Thesis

II. Analysis of the problem Comment by Williams, Scott: The Problem Analysis section MUST HAVE one section extend to Level 4 topics. All Levels occur in a minimum of two.

A. Status of the problem

i. How is the population of children affected?

1. Directly

2. Indirectly

ii. How is the population of adults affected?

B. Causes of the problem

C. Effects of the problem

i. Immediate effect

ii. Long term effect

D. Urgency of a Solution

III. Proposed solution

A. Rationale Comment by Williams, Scott: Required topics as per the reading, pg. 4, of “Drafting Your Paper” in Module 3-4 & 3-5.

B. Resources needed

C. Implementation of the solution

D. Evaluation

i. Pros

ii. Cons

IV. Conclusion

A. Practicality of the solution Comment by Williams, Scott: Required topics and Headings in the Content.

B. Call for action

The Need for Art Therapists in the City of Pueblo Colorado

ITRODUCTION

Carrie Johnson is the director of recreational therapy at Colorado Mental Health Institution. She described art therapy as a great approach for children because they usually lack the understanding necessary to verbalize feelings or emotions, which is usually due to their limited vocabulary (Personal interview). J. Gerteisen’s article, “Monsters, Monkeys, & Mandalas: Art Therapy With Children Experiencing the Effects of Trauma and Fetal Spectrum Disorder (FASD),” describes that “[b]ecause trauma memories are solely cognitive, a sensory experience such as art therapy provides a vehicle for expression, but also a way for children to externalize those traumatic memories” (90). Comment by Scottcw: Good framing of a more than one sentence citation.

In the article titled, “Effect of Art Production on Negative Mood and Anxiety for Adults in Treatment for Substance abuse,” Mattyee Laurer and Renee van de Vennet conducted a study testing the effectiveness of art therapy for individuals with substance abuse. The experiment consisted of twenty-eight adults, varying in age, diagnosed with “substance abuse or dependence disorder.” The data disclosed that art therapy was indeed an effective treatment for substance abuse (178). For, as stated in the literature, the act of creating art diminished the symptoms associated with addiction; by ameliorating their mood and minimize anxiety (Laurer and Vennet 179).

Pueblo county, as printed in the article, “Top Cities in Colorado Where Addiction is a BIG Problem,” has a population of 160,000, but it has recently acquired an increase of gang related activity. Consequently, the amount of crimes associated with substance abuse have elevated (Aspen Ridge Recovery). However, as referenced in the article, “Top Cities in Colorado Where Addiction is a BIG Problem,” “at 8.62%, the region has a lower proportion of the state’s treatment options” (Aspen Ridge Recovery). One of the treatment options that is extremely limited in Pueblo is the practice of art therapy. As a matter of fact, according to Johnson, Colorado Mental Health Institution had only employed two art therapists in the last ten years, and presently, there are none employed (Personal interview). Considering, that art therapy has been extremely successful with children and substance abuse, it would be a perfect solution for the population of Pueblo, Colorado.

The data and information supplied in this paper have been acquired from a series of dependable sources. For instance, peer-reviewed academic journals, reliable web-pages, the news-paper article, The New York Times, and the news station, Denver 7 News. Information was also obtained from a treatment and rehabilitation center and two personal interviews with experts in the field. This paper will argue the importance of art therapy in the city of Pueblo, Colorado. Furthermore, the intention of this paper is to persuade Colorado Mental Health Institution into hiring more art therapists in order to present an additional form of therapy that has repeatedly produced outstanding results with children and issues like substance abuse. Which are two articles that are prevalent in Pueblo. Because there is a need for art therapists in Pueblo, a sales plan presentation needs to be presented before the mental health business, Colorado Mental Health Institution, in order to convince them of the benefits to the community. Comment by Williams, Scott: the purpose and specific audience. Comment by Williams, Scott: The thesis statement.

ANALYSIS OF THE PROBLEM Comment by Williams, Scott: Level 1 14 pt, Times New Roman font, Centered

STATUS OF THE PROBLEM Comment by Williams, Scott: Level 2 12 pt., Times New Roman font, all Upper Case, Right Justified

The city of Pueblo Colorado, has an abundance in civilians struggling with substance abuse and a lack of resources to assist them. Art therapy is a recognized method of therapeutic treatment for clients who battle with substance abuse and a great therapy approach for children. Notwithstanding, the article, “Top Cities in Colorado Where Addiction is a BIG Problem,” acknowledges that regardless of the urgency for treatment in the city of Pueblo, the lowest amount of treatment availability is in the southern portion of the state (Aspen Ridge Recovery). The lack of treatment obtainable can be recognized in the fact that in the mental health business, Colorado Mental Health Institution, there is currently not a single art therapist employed.

How is the Population of Children Affected? Comment by Williams, Scott: Level 3, 12 pt.. Times New Roman, Capitalized, Right Justified.

Johnson points out that Children are largely the group that benefit the most from the acquisition of more art therapists. Unlike adults, children lack wisdom and their vocabulary is limited (Personal interview). Moreover, as Gerteisen notes, “early trauma may lead to deficient hemispheric integration and traumatic memories may be stored in the right hemisphere” (93). Hence, trauma sometimes can be difficult to verbalize, since the traumatic experiences are “processed and stored in the right part of the brain” (Gerteison 92). Nevertheless, Laurie Mortenson, a therapist with a master’s in social work, explains that art therapy is a great resource for children with trauma, as it concentrates on the unconscious mind, symbolism, or suppressed memories or experiences (Personal interview).

On May 5th of 2017, Denver7 News released an article disclosing how children of Pueblo were directly affected by substance abuse, when a Pueblo hospital, St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center, was recruiting volunteers, to help cuddle heroin and opioid addicted babies experiencing withdraw symptoms. Mortenson, explains that infants that do not establish a bond with their mother or another significant figure, for at least the first six months of their lives, will most likely grow up to become sociopaths or develop other mental disorders. In addition, she elaborated, that they are also affected indirectly, by their parent, guardian, or family member being involved with substance abuse, therefore causing the child distress and increasing the likelihood of developing a psychological disorder (Personal interview).

How is the population of adults affected?

The web article, “Top Cities in Colorado Where Addiction is a BIG Problem,” states that six percent of the population of Colorado is in the south-east region of the state (Aspen Ridge Recovery). Although, in the year 2014, the south-eastern region was also responsible for eighteen percent of the heroin access of the state. Moreover, the city of Pueblo has a forty-four percent of auto-related fatalities in comparison to the state of Colorado, has a minimal rate of thirty-four percent (Aspen Ridge Recovery).

CAUSES OF THE PROBLEM

Julie Turkewitz, of the New York Times, declares that the city of Pueblo is one of the “territories” of “the gang Los Carnales East Side Dukes” (“Heroin Related Violence”). The law enforcement speculates that there are approximately 1,200 female and male gang members active in Pueblo (“Heroin Related Violence”). The article also claims that a lot of the drug traffic in Pueblo is handled by that Los Carnales East Side Dukes. As reference in the news-paper, the gang recruits’ children as young as twelve-years-old, in places like the City Library located in the East side of the city. However, others inherit their membership as adolescent boy, Esai Torres, also known as “baby gangster” did from his father. Unfortunately, Torres admits to Turkewitz that “many gang members have become drug addicts themselves” (“Heroin Related Violence”).

EFFECTS OF THE PROBLEM

The effects of having a need for treatment resources, like art therapists in Colorado Mental Health Institution could persist to produce statistics like the ones provided by Turkewitz: In the year 2014, Pueblo was the setting of thirteen homicides. Then, the city suffered the loss of an additional thirteen residents to homicide the following year, “giving the city the unfortunate distinction of having highest per-capita murder rate in the state” (“Heroin Related Violence”). Moreover, Pueblo’s homicidal numbers tripled the number of homicides in New York City (N.Y.C) and doubled those of the infamous city of, Brooklyn, New York. As a result, Turkewitz describes Pueblo as haunted by “unemployment, poverty, gangs and drugs” (“Heroin Related Violence”).

Immediate Effects

One of the immediate effects that result from the lack of art therapy in Colorado Mental Health Institute, is the fact that clients interested in receiving treatment with an art therapist would be obliged to travel to Colorado Springs or Denver. As a result, an individual is likely not to choose treatment due to the obstacles associated with distance. Hence, the city would remain unsuccessful in the attempt to decrease the number of addicts and mental disorders in Pueblo.

The long-term effects

If Colorado Mental Health Institution fails to hire art therapists, then Pueblo’s residents would contribute to the decay of their city’s economy by not spending their money locally. Therefore, Colorado Mental Health Institute would pass on the opportunity to also benefit from the capital acquired by obtaining additional clients. Further, another long-term effect, results from the clients that require long term therapy, as they might be forced to resort to temporarily relocating to Colorado Springs or Denver for the duration of their treatment.

URGENCY OF A SOLUTION

There is a desperate need for art therapists in Colorado Mental Health Institution in Pueblo. The gang and substance abuse related complications persist to exist. Congruently, increasing the rate of infants, arriving into the world already with an addiction and without the disposition of a cuddle from their mother. As a result, the vicious circle creates a momentum and history will continue to reoccur, in the city of Pueblo. However, the cycle could be interrupted by incorporating the availability of art therapy in Colorado Mental Health Institution, as a form of treatment for the people of Pueblo. Colorado Mental Health Institute should acknowledge the benefits associated with the acquisition of art therapists in their institution and perform the measures required to employ art therapy to their directory.

PROPOSED SOLUTION

RATIONALE

Colorado Mental Health Institution needs to obtain art therapists, as Pueblo, Colorado would benefit from the availability of art therapy as a resource for troubled children or adults seeking therapy with the intention to treat their substance abuse. To implement, the solution to the need for art therapists in Pueblo, Colorado. Colorado Mental Health Institution would need to receive a grant, in order to afford to employ the professionals. Secondly, the institution would need to reach out to the therapists already available in the city of Pueblo, to bring recognition to the necessity of art therapists in Colorado Mental Health Institution, and receive individuals interested in practicing in their facility.

RESOURCES NEEDED

The attainment of art therapy in Colorado Mental Health Institution would be impossible without the economic support of a grant. In the web page, American Art Therapy Association, there are seventy-six pages of “Funding Resources for Art Therapy Programs” (“Funding”). Nevertheless, the MacArthur Foundation would be the foundation with the greater likelihood of acceptance and application to the need. As, Colorado Mental Health Institution’s inquiry for funding would satisfy the requirements necessary for consideration. Then, the following action needed to employ art therapist in Colorado Mental Health institution would be to advertise for professionals available and searching for employment. The resources would consist of, news-paper articles, radio, news stations and staffing agencies.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SOLUTION

The first essential operation, would be to “submit a letter of inquiry” to the MacArthur Foundation, using the information provided on their Macarthur Foundation web page (“Guidelines and Cycles”). Once accepted, the following action would be to publicize the commission for art therapists for Colorado Mental Health Institution, including an explanation containing the reasons to why it is imperative for the city of Pueblo. As Mortenson states, there are people that are likely to participate simply with the purpose of resolving the problem (Personal interview). The most effective way to acquire enthusiasts is to announce locally as well as to neighboring cities like Colorado Springs and Canyon City, since there may be professionals willing to travel for work. Once, the art therapy program has been established in Colorado Mental Health Institution, the institution can use advertisement as a tool for acquisition of clients by writing a letter promoting the program to hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, and schools; with the aim to preserve the program.

OBJECTIONS

There are complications associated with the process of Colorado Mental Health Institution obtaining art therapy. For starters, it will not be immediate, as there needs to be funding, professionals, and awareness. Also, there is the complication that arises if the MacArthur Foundation decides to not collaborate or if the program does not receive the popularity expected among the people of Pueblo and conclusively fails

EVALUATION

It is clear, that art therapy provides advantages for people soliciting therapeutic treatment for their substance abuse and for children. The Colorado Mental Health Institution would also benefit from the practice of art therapy economically through the increase in clientele. Potentially, the increase in the institution’s economy can contribute to raise the economy of Pueblo..

CONCLUSION

PRACTICALITY OF THE SOLUTION

The implementation of a practice like art therapy would be very convenient for the city of Pueblo. By the reason that, it has had great success treating patients with substance abuse, a disorder experienced by numerous individuals in Pueblo (Laurer 178). Moreover, according to Johnson, art therapy has also acquired great reputation as a method of treatment for children, due to their difficulties verbalizing feelings or emotions (Personal interview). However, as elaborated by Mortenson, art therapy is not limited to a specific group of people. Since, she says, it serves as a great starting point for the clients that either are not comfortable or fear externalizing their issues, or for others that do not know where to begin (Personal interview). Therefore, it would be a resource that would be accessible for any individual seeking therapy. Furthermore, Colorado Mental Health Institution, would benefit from hiring art therapists, as it would increase the company’s economy and all together, potentially help the city of Pueblo, Colorado.

CALL FOR ACTION

Art therapy is a form therapy offered in other cities throughout the country and as referenced by Carrie Johnson and Laurie Mortenson in their personal interview, it has had much success and popularity. The people of Pueblo should not have to miss out on such a rewarding resource. Pueblo, has a demand for art therapy because there is a substantial number of individuals with substance abuse and children experiencing negligence among other traumas associated with the substance abuse problem in the city. On the other hand, the implementation of the program will help improve the capital of Colorado Mental Health Institution and, although minimally, it can also elevate Pueblo’s economy. Colorado Mental Health Institution needs to implement art therapy in its institution immediately. The time is now, the funding is practically waiting to be claimed and there are professionals available who are searching for job opportunities. The people of Pueblo are eager for an alternative solution, and the solution is the employment of art therapy.

Works Cited