WHO®: We Help Ourselves
WHO® is an educational program that teaches children and teenagers how to stay safe when faced with child abuse and neglect, kidnapping, bullying, peer pressure, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and other forms of victimization.
Trained volunteers, educators and counselors make engaging, non-threatening presentations in English and Spanish to students at all grade levels.
The program uses active learning techniques along with age-appropiate curricula, videotapes and puppets.
Why is WHO® important? In order to prevent wounds inside and out we must equip kids with knowledge!
- In 2006, there were over 40,000 reports of child abuse/neglect in Houston alone.
- A child is reported missing every 37 seconds and 2/3 of those abducted experience sexual assault.
- Suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people ages 15 to 24.
- Young women ages 16-24 are four times more likely to be date raped than any other age group.
The cycle of abuse will continue from generation to generation until children and adolescents are taught that they have a right to protect themselves. The WHO® program is a primary prevention tool; it seeks to prevent the likelihood of child vicitimization, which could lead to lifelong physical and mental health problems.
WHO® for young children
Trained volunteers explore issues such as child abuse, emotional abuse, bullying, and kidnapping. Volunteers use videos and puppet shows to present material (Pre-K - 2nd grade).
WHO® for adolescents
More mature subjects such as depression, sexual harassment, eating disorders, running away, domestic violence, and peer pressure are explored with adolescents. Volunteers use videotaped vignettes to facilitate discussions (3rd grade - high school).
The WHO program was created by the Dallas, TX Mental Health Association.