New Jersey

Parenting - Giving Children Choices. Part III

Tara Aquila — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 15:44:51 +0000

Parenting - Giving Children Choices. Part III Tara Aquila Tue, 08/31/2021 - 11:44

Giving Children Choices Part Three

When I was raising my two boys, I was learning about giving choices. One winter's day, we took a walk in Washington Crossing State Park. It was here I decided to practice my new skill.

"OK, guys, we can take this trail or that trail. What's your choice?"

"Do you want to rest now, or shall we keep going?"

"I have a snack; do you want an orange or an apple?"

Sometimes they would ask me to do something.

"Can we go explore that area?"

"Can we sit on the stone wall?"

I would consciously try to frame it as a choice. "Yes, that is a good choice. I'm glad you thought of that." Rather than saying, "Yea" or simply "OK.” But this is not the point of the story. What happened next during the trip, I found amazing.

We came to a very unsafe-looking bridge. It was ice-covered and looked poorly constructed. Ed immediately asked, "Can we cross the bridge?" Instinctively I would respond with a loud "No!" But I calmed myself and said, "OK guys, you know I have been giving you choices this whole trip, but this time there is no choice here, that bridge is unsafe and icy, there is no choice, we are not crossing it."

To my amazement, both agreed, and we continued walking. Why was this so amazing? Ed was one of those kids that if you told him not to touch something, he had to touch it. I wouldn't say he was oppositional, but it was close. I think this was the first time Ed simply did what I asked without an argument or even ten thousand reasons why he should cross the bridge.

To be honest, it was just a good guess that I phrased my response that way ("Look, I been giving you choices all along, there is no choice here."). Years later, I found out that this technique has an official name. It's called "Cashing in.”

I discovered this when watching a video lecture from the parenting program “Love and Logic.” The lecturer described it as a bank account, you give children choices, lots of them, but when it comes to times that they cannot make a choice, you withdraw from the account. "Look, I've been giving you choices, but sometimes, I need to make a choice here." In general, children find this a reasonable argument and will not challenge you when you need to take over and choose for them.

One more thing about cashing in; it seems to work best if there is a reasonable explanation for not giving a choice.

"There is no choice here because it is unsafe."

"There is no choice here because, as the grown-up, I understand that this is not going so well, so I will stop it now."

If the child wants a more detailed explanations about why they cannot choose, you should provide them. However, in my experience, if you carefully explain why, you are denying the choice, the first explanation is usually enough.

Blog tags

The Expert Angle

Parenting

New Jersey

South Jersey

Richard Lange, Ph.D., LPC, LCSW

Parenting - Giving Children Choices. Part II

Mary Beth Woodward — Mon, 09 Aug 2021 13:46:59 +0000

Parenting - Giving Children Choices. Part II Mary Beth Woodward Mon, 08/09/2021 - 09:46

In the last blog post, I talked about how giving children choices gives them some sense of power and control in their lives. Remember, children all day long are being told what to do. By providing children small choices in their lives, they feel that they have some say or some ability to make decisions independently.

In this part, we continue to discuss two different “choices” methods, the “forced choice” and the “alternative choice.”

Some children will refuse to make a choice. For example, you said to your child, “do you want to have milk or orange juice with your breakfast?”. Now, just to test to see if they have any power, some children will respond, “Neither, I am not going to choose.”

There are two ways of dealing with this. First, if the child is under six years (somehow it doesn’t work for children over six), you simply say, “Well, neither is a choice, I will give you one last chance to choose, and if you don’t make a choice, I will choose for you.” Surprisingly young children will always give in (they don’t want the power to be taken from them), “OK, I’ll take the milk.”

Over six, they might not buy this and dig their heels in: “I don’t care; I’m not going to drink either.” Here you can switch to the “alternative choice.”

“OK, maybe you are not in the mood for milk or orange juice. What would you like to drink? But one of the choices cannot be soda.” (Notice here you are giving what are called limited choices—this, this, but not this.) The child might have in mind they wanted to drink all along. “I want cholate milk.” Problem solved.

Or it could be possible they were just testing their power, and they might be thrown off that they can make a choice and are not prepared to decide what to drink, so they might ask, “What else do you have to drink.” So here again, you can use the limited choices, “Well, you can have cholate milk, water, yogurt drink, but no soda.”

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center for family services

Richard Lange, Ph.D., LPC, LCSW

Parenting - Giving Children Choices. Part I

Mary Beth Woodward — Tue, 20 Jul 2021 20:05:05 +0000

Parenting - Giving Children Choices. Part I Mary Beth Woodward Tue, 07/20/2021 - 16:05

Image the daily life of a child.

"Elijah, you need to get up for school now.”

“Elijah, you need to brush your teeth now!”

“Elijah, stop yelling at your sister and get down here.”

“Elijah, do you have your bookbag? Where is your homework?”

“Elijah, you need to hurry, or you will miss the bus."

When Elijah gets to school, it starts again.

"No running on the playground!”

“Put your pencils away now.”

“No talking in the hallway."

From the time a child gets up to when they are ready for bed, children are being told what to do. So, it's no wonder some children will rebel against this. "Stop telling me what to do!" "I know, I know!" and the famous "You’re not the boss of me!"

These outbursts are not meant to be rude; they are reactions to a life of being told what to do all the time. While children still need directions (children cannot be left to make all their decisions, they are simply too young), there can be minor decisions children can make on their own, ones which give them the impression that they have some say in their lives and are not always being told what to do.

In the next couple of articles, I will explore this topic in more depth, but to get us started, we can explore some straightforward choices that children can be given to help them feel that they have some say in their lives to feel more empowered.

Start by giving your children simple choices.

"It's time for bed. Do you want to wear your yellow pajamas or red ones?"

"It's bath time. Do you want bubbles in the bath or not?"

"It's time for homework. Do you to do it at the kitchen table or in your room?"

Notice that these choices are simple, but more importantly, the parent is still in charge of the situation. Poor use of options would be "Do you want to go to bed or not?" That gives the child too much power. Bedtime is not a choice. Bedtime should be a regular set time (with some exceptions). However, what pajamas they wear can be a choice.

Think about what simple things you can let your children choose.

A shirt to go out and play: " "Do you want to wear the blue or yellow shirt."

How to help around the house: "I need help. Do you want to sweep the floor or help me unpack these groceries?"

And schedules: "Do you want to do your homework right after school or wait until later?"

Check back soon for more parenting tips!

Blog tags

Richard Lange, Ph.D., LPC, LCSW

Mental Health Wellness - Tips & Activities to Stay Grounded. Part IV

Mary Beth Woodward — Mon, 21 Jun 2021 15:13:45 +0000

Mental Health Wellness - Tips & Activities to Stay Grounded. Part IV Mary Beth Woodward Mon, 06/21/2021 - 11:13

"You are what you eat." You might have heard this phrase at some time in your life. It comes from a French phrase from 1826, "Dis-moi ce que tu manges, je te dirai ce que tu es." [Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are]. Slightly different, but you get the point. "You are what you eat" originated with an idea in Europe in 1800 that "the food one eats a bearing on one's state of mind and health." Well, people in 1800 were correct. There is more and more evidence that food can have an impact on your mental health.

According to Dr. Jacka, the Director of the Food and Mood Center at Deakin University, "Eating a salad is not going to cure depression but here's a lot you can do to live your mood and improve your mental health, and it can be as simple as increasing your intake of plants and healthy foods." (New York Times May 18, 2021)

What are some of these foods? The less processed foods you can eat, such as hot dogs, potato chips, and stuff like that, and the more natural foods, such as green, nuts, beans, and even a little dark chocolate, can improve your mood. There are also recommendations for good "gut" foods (ones that will enhance your gut bacteria), such as yogurt, fermented foods, and seafood. (New York Time 18 2021)

It also seems that people who switch to a healthier diet save money. One study found that the average person spent $138 on food a week, but after switching to more healthy diet, the average went down to $112.

There is a lot of reading to be done on the topic, but to get started check out the following articles:

https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/food-and-mood-is-there-a-connection

https://www.nutritionist-resource.org.uk/articles/nutrition-and-mental-health.html

Blog tags

Richard Lange, Ph.D., LPC, LCSW

Mental Health Wellness; Getting outside

Tara Aquila — Thu, 03 Jun 2021 16:28:02 +0000

Mental Health Wellness; Getting outside Tara Aquila Thu, 06/03/2021 - 12:28

If you are looking for a quick mental health boost, researchers recommend getting outside. They have shown that just being outside can help people feel more mentally healthy. It feels that science has caught up with what people already know: how many times have you, when you felt upset, just wanted to “get some fresh air.” Well, it turns out that it works.

Researchers have shown that being outside can reduce muscle tension and blood pressure, boosts endorphin levels and dopamine production, and makes us more creative. Plus, it does not take much time for this to happen. While ideally one should be outside for up to an hour to get the full benefits, the benefit can kick in as little as fifteen minutes.

Here are some tips to help you get started. The best, of course, is a walk in the park, or on a beach. It does not have to be every day, but if you can manage two or three times a week, that would be ideal.

For many of us, access to a park or beach is difficult to get to, but local small green areas seem to work just as well. New Jersey has an Open Space Database where you can search free green spaces to explore by county.

If you don’t have transportation or have a disability that prevents you from traveling, find ways to sit outside during the day. Take your computer to the backyard and work outside for a while. Take a short walk around the block. Sometimes just opening the window and sitting in the fresh air can help.

Are you interested in talking one-on-one with a professional? Call Center For Family Services’ Access line at 877.922.2377 or email access@centerffs.org. Our Access support team will work with you to set you up with a professional counselor who can help.

Blog tags

Richard Lange, Ph.D., LPC, LCSW

Volunteer Service: A Pathway to Your Purpose

Tara Aquila — Thu, 27 May 2021 18:29:30 +0000

Volunteer Service: A Pathway to Your Purpose Tara Aquila Thu, 05/27/2021 - 14:29

There’s an intrinsic desire in all of us to be part of something bigger than ourselves. One of the best ways to do that is to be a volunteer. Growing up, service was seamlessly integrated into my life by my parents. Being of service to others and involved in my community, are core values that I’m lucky were passed down on both sides of my family.

We all have a civic responsibility to take care of the world around us. Because of the systems in place, and the unequal distribution of and access to resources, not everyone has the available time, financial ability, or energy to volunteer in a traditional way.

Volunteer experiences opened my worldview and following college graduation, it was a natural fit to serve for a year as a member of AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) at Center For Family Services. VISTA helped me to confront the reality that opportunities to serve aren’t universally accessible.

If we lived in a truly equitable society, the need to volunteer wouldn’t exist. Imagine it. There would adequate, safe housing for all; no need to haul you hammer to Habitat for Humanity. Everyone would have access to nutritious foods; food drives would be a thing of the past. Corporations would be restricted from dumping waste into drinking water; your annual river clean up could instead be a day to bask in the breeze.

But America has a long way to go to even get close to that vision. And so, we must use our time and what we uniquely have to offer to make our country more livable for everyone around us.

Muhammad Ali said it best: “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room on earth.” I volunteer because I believe it is my duty and part of my purpose.

It’s a privilege to have had my parents show me the way, and that they had the time to give. I recognize this is not true for everyone. But service doesn’t need to be formal or structured to be impactful. It doesn’t even need to be consistent, just intentional.

At Center For Family Services, we view volunteering as an opportunity for everyone. Whether your schedule allows you to volunteer once a year, or once a month, we have an option for you. If you don’t mind taking a drive, or if you prefer to serve from home, there’s plenty you can do.

So you want to be the best volunteer you can be. Where to begin?

Start by thinking about what you have to offer, whether that’s a hobby, or talent, or something that lights you up from the inside out. Be clear with how much of your time you’re able to give. Be intentional about the role you want to play, and the type of cause to which you want to devote yourself.

As someone whose been in the role of a volunteer coordinator and a volunteer, my must-haves for a great volunteer are:

A positive and receptive attitude
Listening to understand (not necessarily to respond)
Willingness to learn
Letting go of preconceived ideas about what people need, and how things should go
Understanding of your time and your boundaries
An open heart, open mind, and open ears

Openness will take you far, and will help you earn the trust of those with whom you’re serving and those you’re intending to help. Our best volunteers are up for anything, know what they can give, ask questions, and take direction well. These qualities help you to understand how things work, the best ways to help, and in time, how your specific knowledge and talents can enhance what you offer to a volunteer program.

If you want to volunteer:

Once a year – Be a team captain for the Empower Run & Walk
Once a week – Lead playtime at Mother Child
Once or twice a month – Become a mentor
Long term – Serve with AmeriCorps
With your children – Start a neighborhood-wide backpack drive
With your coworkers – Host a collection and packing day for Healing Kits
By yourself (that’s cool too) - Pack a Birthday Box for a child in our safe homes, promote a cause or fundraise via social media

What if you’re volunteering to learn a skill, enhance your mental health, or meet new people?

Do you enjoy meeting new people? Become a greeter at our Family Success Centers.

Want to learn more about eliminating hunger? Help out at Hope Mobile. Are you an aspiring horticulturalist or just need some time outdoors? Volunteer for a day of tree planting your local park. Do you find sorting and organizing to be meditative? Volunteer to host a collection and pack items in our Recovery Kits. Are you feeling angry about voter suppression laws? Join a phone banking event, or letter writing campaign to your elected officials.

Volunteering isn’t one size fits all, and there truly is a place for everyone.

Who do we become when we volunteer?

Volunteering at its core is a mutually beneficial act. When we volunteer, we’re motivated by a few different factors. We want to make the world a better place. We want to touch a life. We want to feel good about how we spend our time. We want to be recognized for making an impact. We want to help someone, like we were once helped. We want to leave something behind that tips the scale toward optimism and increases opportunities for others.

Which of these do you relate to? What is your intention when you volunteer?

Self-motivation is okay, it’s human. The intention to develop new skills does not negate your desire to improve the conditions of your neighbors.

For young people it may be a pathway to a career. For families, it may be a way to expand horizons. For retired folks, it may be a way to stay social. Volunteering provides many ways to try new things, make a friend, and seek your purpose through service.

Volunteering gives us the chance to explore parts of ourselves that otherwise, may be left as untapped potential. You may become a steward to the earth. A child’s trusted mentor. A painter. A compassionate listener. A teacher.

Volunteering, gives you a chance to talk with others who are motivated by the desire to help, and individuals who may not share the same lived experiences but with whom there is so much common ground.

You may become an advocate for a cause that touches your heart. You will become more empathetic to others whose lives don’t look exactly like yours. You become more informed, with real-world examples of not just problems but also potential solutions. Solutions that you’re a part of.

When you talk about volunteering, you educate others. Service opens your mind to more information that you then pass along. You never know who it may reach.

Your service may spark altruism in others. On a walk in my neighborhood one morning during the pandemic-springtime, I met an older gentleman, and his senior dog as they picked up trash around a community center. No one was coming to the center while its doors were shuttered and the pool was empty. But knowing there were kids in the area, and people craving the peace of an afternoon walk, he wanted to be sure the neighborhood was clean and safe. At a time when we were all distancing, watching the world shift out from under us, I really needed that. A quick conversation, pleasant exchange, and an affirmation that others care deeply about where they live.

One man, deciding to spend his morning in this way improved the view, the safety of kids playing nearby, and the wellness of a neighbor’s pet with a tendency to eat sidewalk goodies. Sure, he was getting his exercise and fresh air too. But it was the one step more that he took to ensure his actions had meaning beyond just helping himself. Service sends a message, whether it’s witnessed or not.

Go volunteer and explore this wonderful opportunity!

Being a person who contributes positively to your community is very opened ended. And it doesn’t take a ton of effort, typically you get to decide! Explore your local opportunities on Volunteer Match, through the NJ Governor’s Office on volunteerism, on our website, or through your local Volunteer Center.

There are causes and people in need of help that are specifically looking for what YOU have to offer. And along the way, you might learn something about yourself, become an advocate, meet a person you’re meant to know, or even find your purpose.

Blog tags

Corporate Volunteerism

Corporate Social Responsibility

Marissa Cantu

Director of Community Relations Development & Public Relations

Navigating the Healthcare Marketplace in 2021

Mary Beth Woodward — Thu, 22 Apr 2021 13:54:39 +0000

Navigating the Healthcare Marketplace in 2021 Mary Beth Woodward Thu, 04/22/2021 - 09:54

Have you heard the news? Healthcare is more affordable than before! Center For Family Services’ Navigators are here to help.

You might have heard in the news that 'healthcare insurance is more affordable than before! But what's that mean for you?

Perhaps you’ve been getting job-based insurance for years, until COVID blew away the job – and the insurance.
Perhaps you ran your own business until COVID came – and customers left.
Perhaps insurance was too expensive, and you and your family went without.

Since 2013, Center For Family Services has been at the forefront of getting New Jersey residents connected to affordable health care. Through the Navigator Exchange program, you can learn about your coverage options, understand qualifications that may help lower the cost of your plan, and so much more.

The latest COVID relief bill, called the American Rescue Plan, makes it easier to get healthcare coverage during this health crisis. Here’s what that means for you:

If you received unemployment insurance any time in 2021, you may be eligible for nearly free coverage
If your income was too high for financial help before, you might now qualify
If you already got help paying for your insurance, it’s likely that you’ll be able to get even more financial help

It’s important to note that If you can get insurance through your job, your employer is probably paying part of the bill and you can’t get financial help from this program.

Boy – is this confusing!

That’s why the Navigator Exchange program is here to help. We are Healthcare Navigators who have taken classes, passed tests, and become certified by the NJ State Department of Banking and Insurance. Why? Because we are passionate about healthcare and helping people find the most affordable, accessible, quality coverage available. We’re here to help you by answering your questions, figuring out what financial support you might get, and even filling out your enrollment forms with you. If you’re eligible for Medicaid, we’ll help you with that too. Healthcare insurance is complicated and confusing, especially now when it’s needed most. We are here waiting for your call.

It’s easier than ever to get your questions answered and receive guidance from the Navigator Exchange program. Join experienced Healthcare Navigators at 12:00pm every Tuesday in April, and every Wednesday in May to ask general questions about your options. You can also call the Navigator Exchange Hotline, Monday – Friday, 8am-7pm. Bilingual hotline navigators are available to answer your general questions, and set you up for a free, confidential, and private appointment with a Navigator who will help you apply for the most affordable healthcare insurance you can get.

As of April 14^th, 2021, Open Enrollment has been extended through the end of the year – December, 31, 2021. Due to the pandemic, enrollment and coverage options change frequently. In addition to reviewing our Frequently Asked Questions below and attending a virtual “Ask a Navigator” meeting, you are encouraged to visit the Navigator Exchange program and GetCoveredNJ websites for up to date enrollment details.

Let the Navigator Exchange program help you get peace of mind knowing your family has affordable and quality healthcare coverage.

“Ask A Navigator” with Lynn

Wednesdays in May

1pm

bluejeans.com/5468486846864

Navigator Exchange Program Hotline

Center For Family Services

877.962.8448

8am-7pm Monday-Friday

FAQ (updated April 19, 2021)

Where does this insurance come from?

You might hear the insurance program called the ACA (Affordable Care Act), or nicknamed “Obamacare”. You can buy it through Federal or State Health Insurance Marketplaces made to get quality and affordable healthcare coverage to US residents. Every health plan in the Marketplace must cover a set of “essential health benefits”, including doctor visits, preventive care, hospitalization, prescriptions, and more. Insurance companies can’t deny you coverage or charge you more if you have pre-existing medical conditions. The New Jersey Marketplace is called Get Covered NJ (getcovered.nj.gov).

Am I eligible for coverage through the New Jersey Marketplace?

All US citizens or nationals who live in New Jersey are eligible to buy an insurance plan through the Marketplace, whether or not you have a job. However, you can only get financial help if you don’t get insurance through your job. At the Center For Family Services, bilingual hotline navigators can answer your questions in both Spanish and Korean, and set you up for a free, confidential, and private appointment with a Navigator who can help you apply for the most affordable healthcare insurance that you are eligible for. Call 877.962.8448 between 8am-7pm Monday-Friday.

Am I eligible for financial help?

More people than ever will qualify because of the latest COVID relief bill. If you already get financial help, you will likely be eligible for more. If you didn’t get help before because your income was too high, you might now qualify for savings. Here are some examples for a family of 4:

Household Income (family of 4)	Financial Help
less than $36,576	you might be eligible for NJ Family Care, a complete heath insurance program, for little or no cost.
less than $39,300	your monthly premiums may be near zero and you’ll save when you go to a doctor or get drugs.
less than $65,500	you may get financial help for your monthly premiums and you’ll save when you go to a doctor or get drugs.
less than $94,080	your children might be eligible for low or no cost insurance through NJ Family Care.
less than $104,800	you get financial help to pay for your monthly premiums.
more than $104,800	NEW: you may get financial help so your healthcare insurance doesn’t cost more than 8 ½ % of your household income.
* If you get insurance through your job, you can’t get financial help for Marketplace plans.

This is very complicated! That’s why the Center For Family Services has a hotline to get a free, confidential, and private appointment with a Navigator who can help you find the most affordable healthcare insurance. Call 877.962.8448 between 8am-7pm Monday-Friday.

How do I apply financial help?

The Healthcare Navigators at the Center For Family Services can help you fill out the application forms. We can also help you find out if you are eligible for lower cost healthcare for you and/or your children through NJ Family Care. Call 877.962.8448 between 8am-7pm Monday-Friday to set up a free, confidential, and private appointment with a Navigator.

I’m unemployed. Am I eligible?

If you or your spouse has received or qualified for unemployment insurance at any time in 2021, your family is eligible for significantly reduced premiums. This is a temporary benefit only for 2021 from the new COVID relief bill. Contact the Navigator Hotline at 877.962.8448 to get the latest information.

Is there a deadline to enroll? What if I want to change my plan now that I have more financial help?

Usually, you can only enroll in health insurance plans once a year. But now, because of COVID and the extra financial help that will be available through the new COVID relief bill, enrollment in New Jersey will be open through the end of this year. This means that anyone can enroll or change their insurance plan at any time through December 31, 2021.

What do I need to enroll?

You will need this information for yourself and anyone in your household applying for coverage:

Home and/or mailing addresses
Birth dates
Social Security numbers
Document information for legal immigrants, if applicable
Employer and income information for every member of your household (for example, pay stubs, W-2 forms, unemployment insurance letter)

Blog tags

healthcare

open enrollment

New Jersey

healthcare marketplace

affordable healthcare

expert angle

Lynn Perlmutter

You are believed: The path toward healing for a survivor.

Mary Beth Woodward — Tue, 20 Apr 2021 19:05:22 +0000

You are believed: The path toward healing for a survivor. Mary Beth Woodward Tue, 04/20/2021 - 15:05

The statistics are staggering.

Nearly 1 in 6 women and 1 in 33 men in the U.S. have experienced sexual assault or attempted sexual assault some time in their lives. While the effects of sexual violence are far reaching, many times taking hold of entire communities, it is the survivor who carries the trauma of their experience. Fortunately, they have options and services available to lead them on a path toward healing.

Center For Family Services’ Services Empowering Rights of Victims (SERV) program is dedicated to helping victims become survivors. By providing competent, respectful, and empathetic care, SERV helps more than 600 survivors of sexual violence annually throughout Camden, Cumberland, and Gloucester counties.

Providing a safe space for survivors is at the forefront of SERV’s work. By offering confidential and culturally sensitive services, highly trained staff are able to build trust with survivors and help them focus on recovery, self-care, and ultimately, healing.

Healing looks different for every survivor; everyone heals in their own time and in their own way. For many, the first step in the process of healing is feeling believed. At SERV, staff center everything around the voice of survivors. They make survivors feel safe and validated by using active listening, assuring confidentiality, and always believing a survivor’s story because when a survivor is believed, their experience and feelings are validated. It allows them the ability to trust, feel safe, and begin to heal.

SERV recognizes that each survivor’s healing journey is going to be unique to the individual. With that in mind, SERV strives to create an environment to personally accommodate each survivor as they navigate the healing process by creating a safe space where individuals are encouraged to bring themselves to a state of good physical, mental and emotional health. Through counseling and therapy, survivors are given the guidance to believe that their experience is in no way their fault and that no challenge is too big to overcome. For some survivors this may be the biggest challenge they will ever face but with the support of SERV they regain power and control in their lives, two things often lost after a traumatic event, and begin to heal.

Not only does the navigation of the healing process present differently for each survivor but so does the severity of sexual trauma. SERV advocates are equipped to provide the emotional support to all survivors of sexual violence regardless of how their trauma is presenting; sexual trauma in children and adults is associated with severe psychological consequences. It is important to understand that SERV recognizes the unique ways in which trauma presents itself regardless of the stage in life a survivor is currently in or the stage in life the trauma occurred.

If the sexual trauma occurs during childhood, often times there is an association with post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, eating disorders, and substance abuse. Those that experience this type of trauma at a young age also risk relationship difficulties later in life both sexual and non-sexual. Sexual trauma in adulthood is often times associated with short- and long-term psychological challenges. Short term meaning anxiety and fear for a set of time and then a sudden lack of symptoms from the trauma. Long term affects are often times extremely serious and could mean severe substance use, nonfatal suicidal behavior or threats, sexual dysfunction, depression, and the overall risk of developing mental health problem and perceptions of lack of control. SERV advocates help survivors access these trauma’s so that they do not go untreated and ultimately develop a continuum of care designed to recover so that these symptoms do not become a constant in their lives.

In addition to providing support to survivors, SERV works within the community to raise awareness about sexual violence, promote prevention efforts, and change long-standing beliefs and attitudes about sexual assault, including the importance of believing survivors. When society as a whole believes in the survivor’s experience, others feel empowered to come out and speak on their experiences. It creates a cycle of education and awareness and a common understanding that sexual assault is never the victim’s fault.

During the month of April, communities across the country recognize Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Join SERV in their mission to support and empower survivors and educate the community by committing to:

Stand against all forms of sexual violence

Speak out against violence and recognize and intervene in situations that could lead to violence

Empower others to support survivors and to create environments where sexual violence is unacceptable

By working together, and believing survivors we can put an end to sexual violence.

Learn more about SERV

Get involved with Stand.Speak.Empower Campaign

Make a donation in support of a survivor

Blog tags

sexual violence month

awareness

survivor

healing