HOTBHN: Love shouldn’t hurt

The Heart of Texas Behavioral Health Network (HOTBHN) Klaras Center for Families (KCF) offers child and adolescent behavioral health support services within its six-county catchment area. HOTBHN recognizes Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month.

The Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) promotes healthy relationships and strives to spread awareness of teen dating abuse. Every February, youth, young adults, and loved ones spread teen dating violence awareness. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study shows that 1 in every 12 teens will experience abuse from someone they are in a relationship with.

Millions of young people in the U.S. have either seen or lived through an adverse childhood experience, and dating violence from an intimate partner can make an individual feel alone.

Katie Chadwell, Child and Adolescent Therapist for KCF, said, “February is Teen Violence Awareness Month. There are things, as teenagers, you can look out for either in your relationships or relationships your friends have that might be an indicator that something is wrong.”

Here are some behaviors to look out for in teens:

• Change of interest

• Withdrawn

• Isolation

• Quick to anger or cry

• Lower grades

• Sleep disturbances

• Change in appetite

About HOTBHN

HOTBHN strives to offer accessible, caring, and responsive support services to Central Texans in a six-county catchment area, including Bosque, McLennan, Falls, Freestone, Hill, and Limestone counties. For more information on KCF, please visit our website at www.hotbhn.org or call (254) 752-7889.