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Promoting Family Wellness and Preventing Child Maltreatment; Isaac Prilleltensky, Geofrey Nelson, & Leslea Peirson

Chapter 9: Beyond the Boundaries: Themes for Thinking and Action in the Promotion of Family Wellness and the Prevention of Child Maltreatment

Question: “It is important to hear the children’s hopes, dreams, and aspirations about what life could be and should be” (Prilleltensky, 2001). The closing chapter of Prilleltensky et al.’s text ends on heartfelt and powerful note. One child said, “I think prevention shouldn’t just be preventing the bad things. It should be prevention with the point of view of having people be healthy and happy, and not so much that they just squeak by, but for them to have the best life they can have.” In hopes of turning this dream into a reality, what can teachers, parents, school psychologists, guidance counselors, and other mental health professionals to in supporting children to live a happy and healthy life? How can we ensure that children and youth, our future generation, are given equal opportunities to achieve and reach their utmost potential throughout their lives? How can we best support children in achieving their dreams and being resilient?