Ground Breaking Stats on Teen Substance Abuse

East Kootenay Addiction Services Society has uncovered (something known to front-line workers) a connection between childhood abuse and substance use.  Read the article here.  This is a news item I plan on covering more of in the near future.

It should be noted that this research poster also has won an award.  It is getting it's recognition.

Women likely to suffer mental health issues after violence

Not to make light of this issue, but this was one of those studies that made me go "Really, we needed a study to come to the conclusion that women who suffer violence/abuse in their lives experience some type of mental health issue during their life, and that the more violence/abuse happened the more likely there is to have more mental health issues?"

Nonetheless here is the article talking about the study involving over 4,000 Australian women.

We're failing our most vulnerable

I found this article, We're Failing Our Most Vulnerable in the National Post today.  I felt it took a different spin compared to my blog post on Failing our Children.

While I agree with her last statement in this case:

The people and agencies who failed the youngsters have learned bugger all. Why are they still charged with protecting children when the guy in the trailer or apartment next door is better at it?

I do disagree that the fault is primarily the government, ministers and workers.  I do believe more responsibility falls on the families, if not the parents, than the uncles, aunts, grandparents, who usually when their sibling or child succumbs to addiction and can't raise the child rarely does anyone step up to the plate.

Nonetheless, it is an interesting read.

Elizabeth Smart Interview

I am sure all of us are familiar with the story of Elizabeth Smart, if not go see the movie.

I just think she is a remarkable woman, who is an exemplar of overcoming and moving on after a tragic life experience.

In a world that makes it so easy to play the role of victim, and maintain that role, she is truly making, or has made the shift from victim to survivor.  If anyone in this world has a reason to "play" the victim card, she does.  But she doesn't, and it is just inspiring.

This is an interview done by the Salt Lake Tribune.  I admit, I have seen better recorded interviews at a high-school level. However, it is great to just hear her speak about her experience in France, her past, and what she is looking forward to.

Explanations for alcohol and drug Experimentation

Why do you think teenagers start doing drugs? Or drinking? Or other self-harming behaviors? I agree (with you), some do engage in it just for experimentation, or for thrill seeking. However, there are those who do it to ease troubles, numb pains, and to cover up struggles.

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Read the rest at the News Optimist.

Violence Against Women: Vulnerable Populations

Violence Against Women: Vulnerable Populations is a book of collected researches by Douglas Brownridge. He looks at women in vulnerable positions that put them at risk for intimate partner violence, better known as domestic abuse or violence.

These vulnerable populations researched by Brownridge are as follows:

1. Cohabiting Women
2. Women in Post-Separation
3. Women in Stepfamilies
4. Women who Rent
5. Rural Women
6. Aboriginal Women
7. Immigrant Women
8. Women with Disabilities

It's an interesting read for anyone who works with women, especially in one of these vulnerable populations.

I remember once I was working with a female client who was mentally ill (suffering from extreme bouts of depression), Aboriginal, living in a rural community (a reservation), who just got over a relationship and just moved into their new boyfriends apartment (implying a rental home); and I got concerned for her wellbeing because I remembered these categories being outlined by Brownridge as vulnerable situations for women. The client and I proceeded to implement safety plans into her network so that, despite her vulnerability, she could feel safe.

Now of course, with any kind of risk factors, they are indicators, they do not guarantee that domestic violence is happening.  A women could be married for 30 years, living in an owned urban house and she could be experiencing violence, despite not being in a vulnerable population.  The same could be said about my previous client, despite the vulnerable position she was in, and without my assistance, she may have been in a violent free relationship.  Everyone's system is different.  No two people are alike, despite the similarity in scenarios.

You can check out the book here, or learn about Douglas Brownridge here.

Book Recommendation: Playing With Fire

I don't think I have done a plug for this book, Playing With Fire by Theo Fleury.  I must recommend it, of course it must come with a little warning.  Theo Fleury is very blunt in writing and explaining his story.  He lets emotions go loose, which lets you feel how he felt.

I did get to meet Theo at a book signing in Saskatoon.  It was well worth the 2.5 hour wait to say to him: "Thanks for writing this book for my clients."  Since at the time I was a Counsellor at a Sexual Assault Centre, and I was trying to let my male clients know that they were not alone.  It is a must read to understand the effect abuse, especially sexual abuse, has on ones life.

If you don't have time to read, I do recommend you watch the Fifth Estate episode by CBC called The Fall and Rise of Theo Fleury.

Article Recommendation: Teenage Relationship Abuse

Great study. Check it out here. Note that it is based in the UK.

Blog Recommendation: Talking About Sexual Abuse

Check it out here.

Book Recommendation: Sacred Innocence, there is life after abuse

I recommend this book! Check it out!