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Helping Children Exposed to Substance Abuse, Mental Illness, and Violence

NCJ Number
195879
Journal
SAMHSA News Volume: 10 Issue: 2 Dated: Spring 2002 Pages: 1,12-13,14
Author(s)
Beryl Lieff Benderly
Date Published
2002
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article addresses the prevention and reduction of the intergenerational perpetuation of violence, substance abuse, and mental illness.
Abstract
Based on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)’s cooperative agreement to study the children of women with alcohol, drug abuse, and mental health disorders who also have history of violence, this article focuses on identifying models of care in order to prevent and reduce intergenerational abuse and violence. After discussing the goals, purpose, and design of SAMHSA’s Child Subset Study, this article discusses the ways that participants were recruited. The individuals who participated in the Child Subset Study were clinically assessed and underwent ongoing case management to help parents and children develop a skills-building intervention program, designed so that the children could establish boundaries, improve their self-esteem, and develop a safety plan. Citing the importance of the skills-building groups to the child participants, the author discusses the success of this SAMHSA program.