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Before we dive off into interventions for children who’ve suffered abuse or neglect, let’s look into some important stats that will help us with the therapeutic intervention process. 

The U.S. suicide rate has surged 33% since the turn of the century, and a new report highlights serious disparities in who is most at risk. 

America’s suicide rate rose from 10.5 to 14 per 100,000 standard population between 1999 and 2017, according to the brief from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Suicide is a leading cause of death in the U.S., with more than 47,000 people dying by suicide in 2017. 

In that year alone, suicide claimed the lives of 5,016 males and 1,225 females between 15 and 24 in the United States. 

When it comes to ideation and attempts of suicides, females have a higher rate than males. 

Cognitive behavior therapy looks to help children address cognitive, behavioral and affective lifestyle changes. 

The changes will allow for the child to be able to manage and deal with the thoughts and moods of depression which leads to the delusion that dying is the answer. 

By evaluating the nature of dysfunctional beliefs, encouraging a balance of perception of life’s events and challenging any and all negative self-statements of the child, the therapy will be successful with helping change their lifestyle. 

Family-focused therapy addresses the family’s ability to provide the structure needed to help the patient to be successful. 

Family-focused treatment approached the issue with teaching modules the areas of psychoeducation, communication skills training and problem-solving. 

The affective reactions of the family members and patient to treatment, prognosis and the illness along with helping to develop coping mechanisms with the reality that there is a problem is a primary part of the success of family-focused treatment. 

It goes against our natural behavior to harm ourselves. 

None of us looks to induce physical pain upon ourselves especially when the pain will lead to death. 

Life is a great thing and all of us no matter how tough things get may not like life, but we love living. 

The way we live defines our life. 

No matter how great a life we live a little rain must fall. 

It’s how we deal with the rain that depicts the lifestyle we lead. 

Let’s cultivate success not suicide. 

Every child has a chance to change. 

That chance is you.

 

Demetrius Moffett is Senior Pastor of Orange Church of God-Embassy of Grace, 1911 North 16th Street in Orange.