We also need to teach our kids to tell us when their friends need help. As we've learned, most kids will tell someone before attempting suicide or engaging in violent or dangerous behavior. When kids hear such boasts, threats or warnings, they need to tell a responsible adult. Develop peer support programs. Kids benefit from the opportunity to spend time in a group talking in a preventive manner with other kids about their thoughts, feelings and frustrations.
Many kids feel isolated and that they are the only ones with problems.
Peer support groups provide an opportunity for kids to learn that others are dealing with similar issues and experiences. Such groups can also serve as another early warning system for identifying kids who are particularly vulnerable, fragile or troubled. Expand access to drug and alcohol treatment. We need to intensify our efforts to address the problem of child and adolescent drugs and alcohol abuse. We need to identify kids with problems as early as possible, and make sure they get the help they need.