Supporting Foster Parents

"Growing up in today's complex world is challenging for any child, but being a foster child adds another layer of difficulty. As someone who has worked with foster youth for many years, I have witnessed firsthand the unique challenges they face. Children in foster care have endured the traumatic loss of separation from their families of origin, the very people with whom they first formed attachments."

"Suicide Risk: Children in foster care are 3 to 5 times more likely to die by suicide than their peers, 2.5 times more likely to consider suicide, and 4 times more likely to attempt it. Incarceration Risk: More than 70 percent of state penitentiary inmates have spent time in foster care. Frequent placement changes significantly increase risk. Youth with five or more placements are 90 percent more likely to become involved in the juvenile justice system."

"Mental Health Disorders: Foster youth face high rates of anxiety disorders (panic disorder, OCD, PTSD), depressive disorders (major depression, bipolar disorder, suicidal ideation), and attachment-related challenges ( ADHD, learning disorders, conduct disorder, eating disorders, and even schizophrenia). If untreated, these issues often escalate into addiction, chronic homelessness, and personality disorders such as borderline, narcissistic, or avoidant personality disorders. Youth with emotional disabilities are particularly vulnerable to homelessness and incarceration."

Foster children commonly endure traumatic separation from birth families and may experience abuse, neglect, or emotional "terror." Many grieve even harmful circumstances that felt familiar. Children in foster care face markedly higher risks of suicide, suicidal ideation, and attempts, and a disproportionate share of incarcerated individuals spent time in foster care. Frequent placement changes escalate juvenile-justice involvement. Foster youth show high rates of anxiety, depressive, attachment-related, and other serious psychiatric disorders. Untreated conditions often lead to addiction, chronic homelessness, and personality disorders. Early education and therapeutic intervention for every foster child, including those who seem "OK," is essential.

Read at Psychology Today