RUNAWAY. IS YOUR CHILD AT RISK?

 

As a leader of youth help groups Steve Simpson has spoken on national television for years including NBC News Network, Geraldo, Montel Williams and other media outlets regarding teen runaways, suicide, abuse, alcoholism and self-esteem.  His new book, “Runaway” is endorsed by the National Runaway Switchboard as well as national school curriculums.  It is helping professionals and concerned parents open the lines of communication between themselves and at-risk youth.

 

Bracing for the Holidays

While some families are looking forward to the holidays with anticipation of gift giving and family dinners, other families are bracing for what could be their worst holiday as the economic crisis has added burden and stress on all households. With the perpetuating economic melt- down, statistics in 2009 indicate a correlation to an increase in drug and alcohol abuse in families.  Where there is drug abuse and alcoholism, typically there is some form of child abuse; physical or verbal.  In the past two years children’s lives have become intolerable with abuse, neglect and dysfunction in their homes.  Teen suicide numbers are up dramatically, and the average age of child runaways has dropped. 

SIX SIGNS 

Is Your Child Thinking About Running Away or Harming Him or Herself?

1. A consistent depression you cannot attribute to hormonal changes. 

2. A growing detachment, disconnect or lack of interest in home, school, church and friends.

3. Alcoholism, drug abuse or mental illness at home; physical, verbal or sexual abuse to a child, parent, sibling or family member; constant conflict between the child and a family member.

4. A lack of interest in the things that the child would normally be involved in; a change in friends. 

5. Their physical appearance changing; not being as well kept as in the past or seeming not to care how they look.

6.  Comments or behaviors of hope- lessness, hurting themselves, wanting to give up, not being able to “deal with life anymore” —even joking saying that they want to run away.

Prevent & Combat Destructive  Behaviors

National Suicide as well as Runaway hotlines are reporting as much as 15% increase over last year as counselors and therapists predict a greater rise in child abuse, runaways and suicides over the coming months.  Such drastic increases are attributed to increases in homeless conditions as families face unprecedented financial losses that include foreclosed homes, loss of jobs, no money to pay bills, buy clothing or even to buy food.  With this comes drug and alcohol abuse which has increased over the past year in all age groups by approximately 6%.  Sadly, homes otherwise ‘functional’ are now facing problems which are causing unforeseen stresses on the family, especially children.  Add to that the Holidays are around the corner.  Stress is consuming even functional homes as parents and children face their toughest time yet.  For some children the stress in their homes is so bad that running away seems the only option.   

But the runaway is not the only person in the household who knows there is a problem. Running away is not the answer, but it is the way in which a youth can in her/his own way solve a problem.  Parents need to get past denial, face problems with their child and get the help for themselves and for whoever in the household needs it.  Ignoring alcoholism or any type of abuse or neglect, adds to the child’s idea that things will never get better.  If parents won’t get help, children can get help through school counselors, community centers, churches and the  National Runaway Switchboard hotline, 1-800-RUNAWAY.

A bad economy dramatically increases abuse and addictive behaviors.

A dismal financial situation contributes to young people running away or considering suicide.

A teen who is contemplating running away and/or suicide.

How an abused child can regain his/her self-esteem.

Can abusive parents ever change and be forgiven?

Breaking the Abuse Cycle

“I’ll never do to my children what was done to me!”

Many child abusers were victims,  A  large percentage of alcoholics and drug addicts are children of alcoholics or drug addicts.  Abuse/dysfunction of those who live through their own abuse, but do not abuse their children is that they abuse a spouse or significant other.  Even if an abuser does not directly abuse a child, but abuses that child’s mother or father—it’s still abuse to the child.  A non-abusers codependency or fear of loneliness keeps them in an abusive relationship to the extent of their child putting up with that abuse. A parent tells their children, “I stayed with him/her for you.”  Response from the child; “I wish you hadn’t!”  

Whether it is economics, denial, or a codependent parent’s relationship, they are guilty of child abuse by proxy for allowing children to stay in a damaging situation.  Short-term results are that  children runaway to escape their home environments.  Long-term results are that those children tend to form their concept of a relationship based on what they saw with their parents. They will either be an abuser responding to anger and conflict the way their parents did or deal with pressure and stress in the wrong ways.  

If you know a child struggling in a dysfunction home environment, help them.  Hopelessness or impending doom leads children to radical behavior to escape negativity.  It’s  up to parents, neighbors, teachers and anyone sensitive to the possibilities of abuse happening to a child who needs to step in.  We report a neighbor for a parking violation or putting the garbage out on the wrong night, yet hesitate to report suspected child abuse?  If you need help get it.  This would be the best gift you can give your child for the holidays!

 

To Purchase “Runaway” go to
www.powerpublishingcorp.com
BakerandTaylor.com
BookClearingHouse.com

A portion of proceeds will be donated to charity.