Mental health care, charter schools, fighting violence, veterans' benefits

Mental health care a necessity in 2025

Today, one in three New York children experience at least one mental health disorder. It is a crisis that demands communitywide attention, and spotlighting the urgent rise in youth mental health concerns is important [“Health decline in kids seen by LI families, doctors,” News, July 22].

Young people today face a constant stream of information through social media and 24/7 news, far more than previous generations encountered. This flood of content can be overwhelming and emotionally distressing.

Mental health care is not a luxury. It is a necessity, and it must be available where children need it most: at school, at home and in the community. We must invest in these resources and ensure they are as accessible and visible as the challenges our children face.

Cutting funding to mental health programs only deepens the crisis. It limits access to care, delays intervention, and leads to greater long-term consequences for young people and their families.

— Lisa Burch, Rockville Centre

The writer is CEO of a nonprofit organization that provides mental and behavioral health support for children and adults.

Numbers don’t tell whole charter story

Statistics don’t necessarily tell the entire story about charter schools [“With 3 more proposed charter schools, debate heats up on LI,” News, July 20]. Data does show that the percentage of charter school students in grades 3-8 tested as more proficient in English Language Arts and math compared with students in traditional public school districts.

I taught public high school students on Long Island for 32 years and note that the statistics don’t reveal that public schools must retain students who score low on standardized state exams while charter schools can transfer those students back to traditional public schools.

— Angela Cigna, Halesite

The editorial “More charters, more choices” [Opinion, June 27] makes a case for parents to choose charter schools as an option in districts where graduation rates are far below the state average.

The cited underperforming districts, where charters take root, are among Long Island’s most financially insecure. The editorial indicates that two of the three local charter high schools have graduation rates that exceed the state average.

What needs to be said is that charters are privately run, for-profit businesses that are publicly funded with tax dollars taken from the financially strapped public school districts whose students the charters intend to help. If students do not meet the grades on standardized tests, they can be transferred back to their public school.

Historically, working conditions and remuneration for the professional staff are inferior compared with the public schools.

Long Island is touted as having one of the nation’s strongest public school systems, but the editorial says parents should be able to opt for a charter. Charter schools have their place, but they are private enterprises that should not prosper at taxpayer expense of local districts.

— Fred Seiden, North Babylon

State should fund other violent areas

Although Long Island receiving funds to fight gun violence is a positive move, more people are touched by violence besides guns [“Nassau, Suffolk get millions in state aid to combat gun violence,” Nation, July 24].

The violence from drunken driving can cause death, broken families, and victims paralyzed, out of work, and suffering brain damage. Gangs cause violence with machetes. School bullying causes psychological damage that has led to suicides. Many suffer from domestic violence. Could some of that money have been distributed to other areas such as Child Protective Services?

— Carol Ludwig, Wantagh

Suffolk needs to add courtesies to veterans

Congratulations to New York State for continuing to expand benefits for veterans and Gold Star families [“State tuition aid offered to more vets,” News, July 22]. Last year, the state began offering veterans free or discounted access to state parks, including golf on state-run courses. Nassau County then decided to follow suit with golf and county parks access. All a vet needs to do is acquire a state Lifetime Liberty Pass.

To date, Suffolk County has not extended these courtesies in the county.

In April, I emailed all 18 county legislators about this, and only one responded. I’ve also contacted the Suffolk County Veterans Service Agency. Suffolk County needs to get on board with this program and help our local veterans.

— Rich Sundermier, Rockville Centre

CORRECTION: In New York, charter schools are required to meet the same academic standards as district public schools and are obligated to assist special education students. An earlier version of a letter on charter schools was incorrect.