Licensed mental health professionals in the United States are governed by State Law as well as our Codes of Ethics.
Licensed mental health professionals are currently at risk of State Law interfering with our Codes of Ethics? This is something that is unprecedented in our country. The Roe v Wade decision reversal is a monumental time in modern U.S. History. Widely expanding anti-trans and anti-reproductive healthcare bills and laws going into effect with increased frequency.
We must examine our personal ethics and privileges.
This is a call for action. It’s no secret that these laws negatively impact the most vulnerable in our society. This is playing out in real time in the states like Ohio, Florida, and Georgia to name a few. We are individuals who have gone to school for higher education to become therapists. I have hope that most of us did so because our internal experiences and values aligned with the field. At this time, we must collectively decide how we are also going to use our privileges in class, education, influence, race, sex, gender, and position to refuse these harmful changes in legislation.
I’m asking you to join me in solidarity in a general strike for all mental health professionals in Ohio. Remember, Ohio House Bill 454 specifically targets each individual’s license, AND place of employment, and government funding. With the recent recent legislation it is time to work to continue to uphold our ethics: to advocate for our communities; to do no harm; to advocate for those less privileged, and to practice within our Codes of Ethics.
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