Art pieces hang on the wall at North Star Child Advocacy Center in Parkersburg, W.Va.
(Photo by Kristen Hainkel)
Words of Affirmation encourage visitors at the North Star Child Advocacy Center in Parkersburg, W.Va.
(Photo by Kristen Hainkel)
A bright, sea creature and ocean themed mural greets visitors at the North Star Child Advocacy Center in Parkersburg, W.Va.
(Photo by Kristen Hainkel)
Art pieces hang on the wall at North Star Child Advocacy Center in Parkersburg, W.Va.
(Photo by Kristen Hainkel)
Children’s mental health has received more press coverage in recent years. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children who have died by suicide ages 5 to 11 has increased 15 percent each year from 2012 to 2017.
Dr. Patrick Ward of Ward Therapy Associates, LLC in Williamstown advised of various warning signs of decline in a child’s mental health:
¯ Dramatic changes in normal daily functions like sleep, eating, sexual behavior, socialization, or toileting.
¯ Social isolation
¯ Change in style of play
Words of Affirmation encourage visitors at the North Star Child Advocacy Center in Parkersburg, W.Va.
(Photo by Kristen Hainkel)
¯ Change in emotional stability or reactions to different situations
¯ Missing school more than usual
¯ Increase in complaints about pain such as headaches and stomach aches.
Ward said if a parent suspects a child is having trouble, they should have a conversation with them at a quiet time, such as bed time. Then the parents and child can talk to another adult in their life, such as a teacher, school counselor or family doctor.
“I receive referrals to see from school counselors and family doctors all the time,” he said.
A bright, sea creature and ocean themed mural greets visitors at the North Star Child Advocacy Center in Parkersburg, W.Va.
(Photo by Kristen Hainkel)
In extreme circumstances such as abuse or neglect, a local organization aims to make a painful process easier.
North Star Child Advocacy Center is a non-profit that partners together local law enforcement, mental health providers, and forensic interviewers under one roof to ensure a child doesn’t have to repeat their story multiple times.
According to Assistant Director Julie Nutter, once a referral is made to the center by either law enforcement or Child Protective Services, North Star staff conduct an intake interview. From there, a team of professionals composed of previously mentioned entities determine what treatment step is taken next.
Nutter said the Child Advocacy model is designed with the patient in mind.
“Prior to a Child Advocacy Center, a child would have to tell their story so many times. They get weary and their story could change. This model allows the child to tell their story one time. More of a conversation that they have with our ladies with a comfortable room.”
In order to avoid the need for intervention, Executive Director Greg Collins has taken a proactive approach.
“We’re trying to get more on the proactive side,” he said. “We’ve been going into schools in our county area and teaching kids about issues they may go through. We’ve noticed a high disclosure rate after these presentations.”
Collins added, “I come from a career in law enforcement. You have to get ahead of a crime in order to stop it. The more you go into schools, you can create awareness.”
According to Collins, 618 kids were referred to North Star Child Advocacy Center in 2022. 461 were from Wood County. Their service area includes Calhoun, Pleasants, Ritchie, Wood, and Wirt Counties.
In the name of prevention, Ward provided a list of activities that intend to increase a child’s mental health:
¯ Limiting screen time
¯ Creating or listening to music
¯ Artistic expression
¯ Free play-unstructured play time that allows a child to be creative and self-directed
¯ Socializing with friends
¯ 15 to 20 minutes for undivided attention from parents
¯ Responsibility-Giving a child something they can accomplish
¯ Spending time outside
Ward said parents watching for their child’s mental health is important.
“I think it’s important because kids want to come to adults but don’t have the words to describe the challenges. They don’t have the insight into themselves yet,” he said.
He added, “children need to know they aren’t alone in their struggles.”
Collins added adults need to be mindful of who is in their child’s company.
“One of the biggest mistakes I’ve seen in my career is parents are afraid to look at people they know suspiciously,” he said. “People think being suspicious makes you a bad person, but it doesn’t.”
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