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Dear º£½ÇÂÒÂ× Community.

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We have all heard of the cruel plight of the children of asylum seekers in the U.S. IfÌýÌýare true, children of all ages in these detention centers are being held in unsanitary conditions, lacking even the most basic supplies without adequate adult supervision.

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To spare myself feelings of horror and profound sadness over what is happeningÌýin the United States of America in 2019,ÌýI could turn away from the news. But I won’t allow myself that privilege.

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I have three grandchildren, ages 4 to 11. There is no such thing as other people’s children.

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As a community we must look past the partisan and political aspects of this tragedy. We cannot allow our frustration and sense of powerlessness to translate into complacency.

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We are not powerless.

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We canÌýÌýtoday to express our shock and outrage. We can tell our elected officials that this mistreatment of children goes against every moral fiber of our individual and collective beings.

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We can get in touch withÌýÌýthat are helping and offer whatever support we can give.

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And we can readÌýfrom the American Psychological Association that discusses the likely long-term psychological effects of this tragedy. As psychologists and future psychologists, we must prepare ourselves to treat the ramifications of a tragedy that will forever define our humanity at this time in history.

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Each of us can do something to support the people on the ground — lawyers, advocates, and humanitarians — who are in a position to facilitate concrete and immediate change.Ìý We cannot wait for others to take action; now is the time to make our voices heard.

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