EIGHTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT 

HEALTH MINISTRY OF THE EIGHTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT (VOL 10-2024)

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Dr. Patricia D. McKenzie

Episcopal Coordinator for Health Ministries

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PART I.
NATIONAL HEALTH OBSERVANCES FOR OCTOBER 2024

Support of Domestic Violence defined in “The Book of Discipline of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church Revised 2022. First-Chapter 5 The Social Creed, paragraph 131.4, section j, p 26; Second-Chapter 36 Church Officers, Boards and Auxiliaries, paragraph 554, p 156.”

National Domestic Violence Month

Source: The National Child Traumatic Stress Network. https://www.nctsn.org

FACTS:

  • 1. October was first declared as National Domestic Violence Month in 1989. It is prevalent in every community and affects all people regardless of age, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, gender, race, religion or nationality.
  • 2.Physical violence is often accompanied by emotionally abusive and controlling behavior as part of a much larger systematic pattern of dominance and control. Domestic Violence results in physical injury, psychological trauma, and even death. The devastating consequences of domestic violence can cross generations and last for a lifetime.
  • 3. Although there has been substantial progress in reducing domestic violence, an average of 20 people are physical abused by intimate partners every minute. This equates to more than 10 million abuse victims annually. 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have been physically abused by an intimate partner and 1 in 5 women and 1 in 7 men have been severely physically abused by an intimate partner. Millions of American live in daily silent fear within their own homes.
  • 4. In addition, every year millions of children are exposed to domestic violence. Domestic violence incidents affect every person within a home and can have long-lasting effects on children’s emotional well-being and social and academic functioning. “

“AGE-RELATED REACTIONS TO A TRAUMATIC EVENT:

Source: The National Child Traumatic Stress Network. https://www.nctsn.org

FACTS:

Goal of therapy is to restore balance to these children’s lives and the lives of their families. The reaction and lingering distress depend on the children’s age and level of development.

  • 1. Preschool may experience a feeling of helplessness. This feeling and anxiety may lead to not being able to fall asleep on their own or might not be able to separate from parent at school; some lose speech and toileting skills; have nightmares, night terrors or fear of going to sleep; may engage in traumatic play.
  • 2. School-age are pre-occupied with own actions, often experience guilt or shame; may engage in constant retelling of a traumatic event; display sleep disturbances (difficulty falling asleep, fear of sleeping alone or frequent nightmares); complain of headaches and stomach aches without case; some engage in reckless of aggressive behavior.
  • 3. Adolescents have feelings of fear, vulnerability and concern of being labeled abnormal; withdraws from family and friends; may express fantasies about revenge and retribution; some engage in self-destructive or accident-prone behaviors

HOW TO HELP:

  • 1. For younger children-parents offer support, provide comfort, rest and allow to play or draw; helpful for parents, family and teachers to encourage children to verbalize their feelings so they don’t feel alone with emotions. Remember to pick up on time after school; Parents, family, caregivers and teachers must tolerate regression in developmental tasks for a short period.
  • 2. School-age children must be encouraged to discuss their worries with family members; Parents should report to teachers when these thoughts get in the way of student’s concentrating and learning.
  • 3. Adolescents are encouraged to discuss event and feelings; important to help them understand their acting out behaviors; also discuss thoughts of revenge and address realistic consequences and work to formulate constructive alternative actions.
  • 4. As a caring parent, you can promote your child’s recovery by taking steps to increase safety in the family, helping the child to develop relationships with other supportive adults, and encourage them in school or other activities that make hem feel happy and proud.
  • 5. Other helpful resources offered for download: ‘Celebrating Your Child’s Strengths,’ ‘Before You Talk to Your Children-How Your Feelings Matter,’ ‘Listening and Talking to Your Child About Domestic Violence,’ ‘The Importance of Playing with Your Children,’ ‘Keeping Your Children Safe and Responding to their Fears,’ ‘Helping Your Child Navigate a Relationship with the Abusive Parent,’ ‘Where to Turn if You Are Worried About Your Child.’

IMPORTANT CONTACTS:

  • 1. Feel unsafe, call 911 for emergency police assistance
  • 2. In crisis, National Domestic Violence Hotline 24/7, 365 days, call 800-799-SAFE (800-799-7233)
  • 3. Know local agency offering Family or Child Crisis Services.
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