Mega Doctor News
Creating safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments is essential for helping children and families thrive.
Unfortunately, child abuse and neglect are common in the United States with one in seven children experiencing maltreatment, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which defines child abuse as all types of abuse and neglect of a child under the age of 18 by a parent, caregiver or another person in a custodial role that results in harm, the potential harm or the threat of harm to a child.
Abuse and neglect occur in families from all levels of society and, per the American Psychological Association, there’s no single cause of child abuse. It’s typically the result of many combined forces impacting the family unit.
Children who are abused or neglected may suffer immediate physical injuries, like cuts, bruises or broken bones. They may also experience emotional and psychological problems, as well as suffer developmental delays and mental health issues like anxiety and post-traumatic stress.
“Victims of child abuse can see the world as unstable, frightening and dangerous, which can undermine their sense of self-worth and their ability to cope and adapt to their environments as they grow,” says Yvette Bueno, MSHA, MSSW, LMSW, Director of Clinical Services, South Texas Health System Behavioral. “If untreated, the maltreatment of a child can lead to issues later in life, like alcoholism, substance abuse, depression, domestic violence and suicidal ideation.”
Child abuse can be prevented through effective strategies, but it’s a shared responsibility that requires an understanding of the factors that put children at risk.
So, to help parents and caregivers recognize the risks of child abuse, South Texas Health System Children’s is dedicating its latest Let’s Talk Children’s Health webinar to child abuse prevention.
In partnership with Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Hidalgo County, the webinar will stream live via the STHS Children’s Facebook page on Wednesday, January 15.
The online seminar will feature a CASA representative discussing the risks and signs associated with child abuse and how friends, families and communities can help prevent child abuse by creating nurturing, supportive environments and relationships.
For more information on the webinar, visit the STHS Children’s Facebook Events page. To watch previous Let’s Talk Children’s Health Seminars, visit STHSLetsTalk.com.
| Who: | South Texas Health System Children’s & CASA of Hidalgo County |
| What: | FREE virtual seminar entitled “Let’s Talk Children’s Health – Child Abuse Prevention” |
| When: | Wednesday, January 15, 2025, from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. |
| Where: | Online via STHS’ Facebook page |
