1. Safeguarding Children and Building Resiliency in a Challenging World
Dr. Scott Poland
Nova Southeastern University

2. Statistics ….
The leading causes of death for children are accidents, homicide and suicide
Adults have a responsibility to work on prevention at school and in homes and neighborhoods
Children are dying in nearly record numbers

3. Recommendations for Parents
Bring back the family meal
Don’t let technology steal your child
Avoid setting their room up to be a kingdom
Know where your child is and know their friends and their parents--Network

4. Driving and Riding in Cars
Most dangerous thing your child does
Approximately 3000 teens die in car accidents every year and most were not wearing seatbelts
Graduated driving laws when enforced save lives
Don’t let your teen be “INTEXTICATED”
Contract for life
Irony is you thought the phone was for safety!

5. More Recommendations Avoid putting children in the middle of divorce
Importance of modeling—Gandhi quote
Enjoy your children and let them know they are the sons and daughters you always wanted
Make family the priority but don’t try to be best friends with your child
Separate the deed from the “doer”
Teach restitution

6. Technology a Curse or a Blessing? It Is here To Stay
There is something dangerous and largely unguarded in almost every home!
Children today view being connected as a birthright but it is a privilege
What are sexting and cyber bullying all about?

7. Question….
“My child is fascinated by violent video games and plays them for hours….should I be worried?”

8. Tips for Parents Online activities are not just your child’s business
Discuss online behavior with them and what information is appropriate to share
Know the online communities and your child’s password
Be up front that you will investigate their postings, profiles, website etc. because you care! Take Charge!

9. New Program for Monitoring Internet and Cell Phone WebSafety
Searches for key words about danger and obscenity and alerts parents immediately
Alerts parents if contact is from strangers
You can prevent teens from driving and texting and be alerted if they are speeding
You create no texting zones

10. Fathers Need To Be More Involved
Reality is that “parent” is still a code word for Mom in most families
The supreme test of a society is can it teach men to be good fathers? Margaret Mead
Positive association between father involvement and child well being and academic success

11. PROTECTIVE FACTORS Good relationships with other youth
Seeks adult help when needed
Lack of access to suicidal means
Access to mental health care
Religiosity
School environment that encourages help seeking and promotes health

12. PROTECTIVE FACTORS Family cohesion and stability
Coping and problem solving skills
Positive self worth and impulse control
Positive connections to school and extracurricular participation
Successful academically

13. Youth Suicide Incidence
Everyone must know the warning signs and not to keep a secret
Don’t hesitate to get professional help for your child
Removing lethal means

14. 2011 YRBSS RESULTS Surveyed 15,000 H.S students and in the last year
15.8 % considered suicide (increase from 2009)
12.8% made a suicide plan (increase)
7.8% made an attempt (increase)

15. U.S. Preventative Task Force 2009
Routine screening recommended for all teens 12 to 18
Major depression often goes undiagnosed and untreated
Begin with a questionnaire that teens can fill out in private at the medical office
Screening should be repeated even if “no red flags”
Teens at risk should get full diagnostic work up

16. WARNING SIGNS OF YOUTH SUICIDE
Suicide notes
Threats
Symptomatic clues
Giving away prized possessions/making a will
Fascination with death
Exposure to suicide

17. Depression
Untreated depression can lead to substance abuse, academic failure and even suicide
It is not moodiness but a mood disorder
Estimates are that by end of teen years 20% of adolescents will have suffered from depression
The majority do not received treatment

18. Symptoms of Teen Depression: Present for more than two weeks
Irritable or cranky
Loss of interest in activities
Withdrawal from friends and family
Changes in appetite and sleeping patterns
Physical agitation
Making critical comments about themselves

19. More Signs of Depression
Behavior problems at school
Drop in grades
Frequent absences
Somatic complaints and visits to school nurse
Suicidal comments and fascination with death

20. Depression Is Treatable!
If you think your teen is depressed get them evaluated
Depression may be related to abuse or triggered by a stressful event like divorce, loss or a break up of relationship
Depression often runs in families
Most effective treatments involve cognitive behavioral therapy and medication

21. Bullying Repetitive and humiliating Physical and/or verbal
Involves power
Cyber bullying impact
What if your child is the victim?
What if your child is the bully?

22. Choking Game
Average age of participation ranges from 9-14 years of age.
Behavior more common among white middle class boys not demonstrating other risk behaviors
More information

23. Definition
“The object is to cut off blood flow to the carotid artery causing the player to nearly or completely pass out, then releasing the pressure allowing the rush of blood back into the brain causing a lightheaded feeling resembling a quick high.”

24. Key Points Most youth learn about the game at school
Should not be referred to as a game
Adolescents attracted to it for thrill seeking
It is not illegal like drugs
Parental supervision is important
Schools and communities need to provide safe outlets for adventure and thrill seeking

25. Helping Children
Recognize developmental levels and protect them from horrific violence on television, movies and video games
Reach do not preach
Support the school and do not prevent your child from receiving consequences because children learn from their mistakes
Do not hesitate to get professional help when it is recommended

26. Resiliency Learned behavior
Importance of being surrounded by caring family and friends
Utilize coping skills and vent strong emotions
Keep an optimistic view

27. Recognize that all children need:
three or more significant adults in their lives in addition to parents.
a sense of safety and belonging in the home, school, and community.
three or more hours of organized activities weekly.
adolescents need volunteer work

28. Significant Adults/Mentors

29. Volunteerism

30. Organized Activities

31. Resources Suicide Prevention Resource center www.sprc.org
American Association of Suicidology
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Centers for Disease Control
National Association of School Psychologists

32. In Conclusion
Be involved in your child’s life especially outside of school! YOU ARE THE PARENT!
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