LITTLE ROCK – A new Baptist Health program aims to help pregnant teenagers and young mothers understand and cope with the challenges and emotional issues that arise from their pregnancy so that they can make good choices for themselves and their babies.
The Baptist Health Family Support (BHFS) program, which is a part of behavioral health services at the Baptist Health Southwest campus, 11401 Interstate 30, offers individual, family, and group therapy specific to the needs of these girls and their families – a service that is scarce for this growing demographic.
“When looking at the teenage pregnancy statistics, it was staggering to me the amount of young girls we have out there becoming parents,” said Dori Haddock, the program’s clinical director. “I know how challenging becoming a new mother can be on a good day, but to be a teenager and a parent seems completely overwhelming.”
“During my career as a therapist, I have seen many underlying issues that affect teenage girls that can often lead to an unplanned pregnancy. There is such a need to help these girls identify what is going on within them, their family, and their lives and address these issues to offer a successful future,” Haddock said.
According to government statistics, about 1,300 babies have been born to teenagers under the age of 18 in Arkansas the past three years. In Pulaski County, there are about 150 of these deliveries each year, and counties within a 50-mile radius are averaging about 30 teenage pregnancies annually.
No other program in central Arkansas offers individual, family and group therapy addressing the mental-health issues these teenagers have, the often-difficult family dynamics, and the stress a newborn brings to young and uneducated teenagers, according to Baptist Health.
“When looking at the Baptist Health mission and the needs in the community, it became clear that the community was lacking resources for a very fragile population that Baptist Health can now offer,” Haddock said.
The new program specifically serves teenage girls or young women who have been diagnosed with or present with symptoms of depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, which existed prior to the pregnancy or has resulted due to the pregnancy.
The support program seeks to help address issues throughout the patient’s pregnancy and even after in all areas of their life including home and school. Some of the program’s services include helping with psychiatric issues, managing family dynamics and teaching appropriate coping skills to prevent second pregnancies.
“Our goal is to offer intensive and supportive therapeutic services to these girls, their families, and most importantly their child. The hope is to help them become independent, make good choices for themselves and their child, and to achieve the educational and personal goals they have set for themselves,” Haddock said.
More information is available at www.baptist-health.com.
Thursday, May 16, 2013 at 4:23PM 
Mississippi River State Park near Marianna features a 12,208-square-foot information and education facility to be staffed by both Arkansas State Parks and U.S. Forest Service employees.MARIANNA – The Mississippi River State Park near Marianna was officially dedicated May 16.
