Reading of the latest school shooting, Tuesday in Denver, involving student gunmen, and the child suicide statistics Gov. Janet Mills cited earlier this week in bringing back the Children's Cabinet then-Gov. Angus King started, it looks like Mills' decision can only help.

Mental health is a part of children’s health, and preventing them from hurting themselves or others.

Hopefully, the Cabinet can be a less political vehicle for preventing childhood violence than the gun control debate still is, school shooting after school shooting or gang or other youth violence and suicide. 

According to Mills’ radio address, suicide among children 10-19 in Maine has climbed 50 percent in the last five years.

That can’t go on.

The Cabinet could make a difference, as it gets at these issues directly and indirectly. Let’s pay attention, and figure it out.

Week’s positive parting thought: Thursday morning’s predicted frost be darned, area groups will be out selling plants and raising money for scholarships and more this month. May the green thumb be with you, and may the green be with the causes as they work to fill the till.