Depression can lead kids down risky paths.
Programs for children at risk are critical to boosting self-esteem, providing life-style alternatives and offering hope. Introducing kids to various activities--individually or within a group--are means of building critical thinking skills, balancing tempers and reducing temptations for self injury. Parents, families and siblings of at risk children can also benefit from helpful programs. Several successful programs for at risk children include wilderness camps, substance abuse prevention, violence preclusion and alienation remedies.
Wilderness Camps
Wilderness camps give city kids a chance to explore nature.
A wilderness camp is a positive way for an at risk child to disassociate from an unhealthy environment and learn the value of responsibility. Wilderness camps provide outdoor activities--such as building a fire without using matches--designed to champion patience, focus and team work. "Residents eat a well-balanced and healthy diet," states AtRiskYouthProgram.com and "commune with nature, observe the wildlife and tackle challenging physical tasks" which build physical strength and self-esteem.
Substance Abuse Prevention
If your child is on drugs, seek help immediately.
Treating substance abuse is an urgent problem when it comes to children because their brains are in the process of development. The best substance abuse programs for at risk children are residential treatments. Residential treatments, according to DrugRehabTreatment.com, offer "a chance to experience predictable and consistent consequences of behavior, an opportunity to participate in community." Substance abuse programs build self-confidence and self-care. Residential treatment, in particular, helps to ward off self-destructive tendencies "and for family bonds to be repaired."
Violence Preclusion
Learning conflict resolution skills helps teens feel balanced and happy.
Violence preclusion is often a necessary program for children at risk. Whether violence is self-inflicted, due to parental abuse or a combination of both, CDC.gov promises that violence prevention programs can be offered via "home visiting," the learning of "social and conflict resolution skills and mentoring." Studies show that family counseling that focuses on building non-violent homes "can have substantial, long-term effects in reducing violent behavior by children."
Alienation Remedies
Youth led activities can help at risk children feel more comfortable.
Depression can lead to a child feeling dangerously alienated, as if he is all alone. For children who do not suffer from substance abuse or violence, there are programs that relate directly to the curing of alienation. Remedies for alienation typically include social change programs, according to TheInnovationCenter.org, where "young people learn to participate in group processes, build consensus and become more engaged in their communities." These programs are often "are run by young people in partnership with adults" and are successful at helping at risk children.
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