You watched. Now consider…

Anna’s story, as told in the book Anna, Age Eight, has to be told, but it’s a story that eight-year-old Anna cannot tell herself. It’s not a fun story to hear and it’s not easy to talk about. However, if we don’t address the challenges Anna, her family, and community faced, the story will keep repeating. 

Anna’s story represents many children in New Mexico and across the United States. Our children are enduring abuse, neglect, and many forms of social adversity and trauma. Our families struggle with limited resources with vital services out of reach, including medical and mental healthcare. We are committed to ensuring the vital services that can end the childhood trauma that leads to New Mexico’s most costly public health, safety, and education challenges.

We ask all New Mexicans to consider these important questions:

Why are the authors of Anna, Age Eight telling this story?

Why might it be difficult to talk about childhood trauma and neglect?

Do you know of children who “fell through the cracks”?

Amid a barrage of priorities, commitments and distracting messages streaming 24/7, how can we focus and mobilize our community around one activity: generating community dialogue focused on ensuring the health and safety of all our children?

If we don’t talk about Anna’s challenges, our children, students and families continue to be at risk for adversity and hardships. Let’s start talking…