September is a BIG month in the world of Child Life. I'm sure most, if not all of you readers have already seen a bunch of gold and information out there regarding childhood cancer awareness. This is such an important topic to spread awareness about, but how many of you know that there are a couple of other important groups to recognize during the month of September? PSA: I fully believe that childhood cancer is a big deal to spread awareness about, 4% is absolutely ridiculous and kids deserve better. However, I work with some other populations that also deserve to have their causes highlighted too.
September is Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) awareness month. This is a population I have worked with quite frequently, and unfortunately usually not in the best of circumstances. These tiny, but mighty patients are faced with huge obstacles from the very beginning of their lives and the families are sometimes faced with the possibility of death at what is truely the very beginning of life. I can say that the NICU is the most unique area that I have worked in. When walking into the NICU there is an air of difference and it goes beyond the quietness usually evident. There is a constant sense of hopefulness in a NICU and support for others abounds here.
September is also National Suicide Prevention Month. While working in the emergency department I come across kids who have, thankfully, unsuccessfully attempted suicide. Suicide does not discriminate based on age, gender, race, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, etc. I will readily admit that in the ED there isn't much of an opportunity for me to provide services. Most of these kids are going to be detoxing from pills or alcohol, occasionally I will help with suture repair too. Really there needs to be greater support and awareness in general, especially where kids are concerned.
Thank you to those of you who read this post! I know that I went out on a limb by focusing on two other patient groups with a small snippet for childhood cancer. I would love to know what causes you're passionate about as the months carry on, contact me and let me know!
-K
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