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Writer's pictureNo More Red Dots
Nov 145 min read

What are Risk Factors, How They Guide Our Work

The term Risk Factor was generally used in the medical field to identify the risks of disease or infection. Over the past decade it's become a common term in public health when referring to the causes of violence. Identifying risk factors is an important initial component when attempting to prevent and/or intervene in criminal or violent behaviors.


Along with identifying the problems that can cause negative behaviors, are Protective Factors. These are important principles that programs and organizations can provide to help reduce the risks that cause violence and provide a barrier between an individual and those identified risks.


High Risks, Risk Factors...What Are They?


There's a common view, based on research over several decades, that the risk factors which contribute to violent behaviors for individuals can include some, or all of the following:


  • Food insecurity *

  • Poor health, physically and/or mentally

  • Alcohol and other drug abuse

  • Financial insecurity

  • History of physical abuse in family

  • No youth diversion, or activities for youth after school

  • Poor relationship with parent(s)/guardian

  • Homelessness, or unstable housing

  • Associating with delinquent peers (if individual is a youth)

  • Parental/guardian alcohol or other drug abuse

  • Lack of employment opportunities


The list can go on. It's a common view that if an overwhelming amount of these factors are present in an individuals life, then it may be a slippery slope towards violence or criminal behavior.



Risk factors apply to not only individuals, but the relationships that we have, the communities we live in, and the city and state that provides for us all. Since NMRD is an organization focused on building healthier communities by ending violence on an individual and family level, lets list the Relationship/Family Risk Factors:


  • Lack of economic opportunities for parent(s)/guardian

  • Unstable housing (moving frequently or moments of no housing)

  • Unemployed parent(s)/guardian (especially if long term)

  • High levels of parental conflict/ anxiety

  • Food insecurity (from lack of opportunities) *

  • History of parent/guardian unbalanced mental health (depression, schizophrenia, bipolar, etc.)

  • Alcohol/other drug abuse

  • Low parental guidance or supervision

  • Poor health of parent(s)/guardian that may require extensive doctor visits

  • Child abuse or maltreatment


Unchecked risk factors on an individual and relationship/family level can 'spread' to communities and society overall. It's been proven that high rates of violence can hurt a city economically, causing tax payers an extra burden and pushing potential development away. But the damage caused by violence can go deeper than finances. On a community level, it can hurt and obstruct creativity and cultural growth which in turn foster anti-social behavior.


In my opinion, support for the arts, grass roots organizations and small businesses is what makes a city beautiful—only a healthy community can truly promote and facilitate its local voices.


Our Programs - Protective Factors


Over the years our programs have adapted, grown and sometimes ended to meet the various needs from participants. Due to funding and its fluctuation, some have been fully or barely functioning for the past few years. Despite the occasional turbulence, we have always supported a select number of our programs because of their ability to reduce youth risk factors and promote alternative lifestyles.


Reducing risk factors and providing protective barriers for individuals and families is a major goal for NMRD programs.


Peace Through the Arts, now called Artist Guild

The Arts have again and again demonstrated across various cities how well it can reach youth at-risk. Not only can it give participants something to focus their emotions and behaviors on, it can also teach new skills using different mediums. Art has recently shown to be very therapeutic in general.


So far, studies demonstrate benefits for adults practicing art, who may struggle with depression, anxiety and/or other psychological imbalances. These clinical observations show improvements in participant's behavioral/emotional awareness from repeated 2D projects (pencil drawing, watercolor, and other painting). More studies need to be conducted on benefits in non-clinical situations.


Art has also been helpful when dealing with individuals/ families who suffer from trauma. Trauma affects victims of violence and can come from a gun shot wound; a family member being shot or perpetrating; being near the vicinity of gun shots or so on. Having an outlet to express the emotions experienced is invaluable when restoring balance and healing.


Operation Hope Mentorship (OHMP)

Sometimes participants only want someone who can listen, that understands where they're coming from, who is not their parent or someone at school. Doing art or any activity may not be immediate concern. In this case, getting to know their mentor, who can help guide them in the right direction, comes first.


Many of our life coaches/mentors have been through trauma as well and have moved forward from those experiences. Since then, they've gained stable employment and provide for their families; inspire peace and moved away from peers and environments that would encourage unhelpful behaviors.


Everyone on our team is included in OHMP, we've all been through various experiences that can help an individual find a path towards peace. As we get to know participants, we can recommend them to other programs or services that may be interesting to them, such as the Artist Guild or Peace Through Fashion. Maintaining communication and interest is important to make sure they continue to stay out of trouble over the long term.


More Programs

We have a relatively long list of programs and this is meant to reach at-risk youth where they are in their path. At the moment, our programs also include Peace League, Peace Through Fashion and Helping Understand Grief Situations (HUGS). We are working with system involved youth, and parent referred youth and families.


Protective Factors

Like Risk factors, Protective factors are separated into individual, relationship/family and community categories. On an individual level, protective factors are elements that buffer a person from unhelpful lifestyles or habits, and often provide the opposite of risk factors. These can include:


  • Being interested in gaining more education

  • Having religious beliefs

  • Being engaged in school, church, or community activities

  • Building coping and problem solving skills

  • Having a positive outlook of themselves (healthy self esteem)

  • Self-regulation of emotions/ behaviors

  • Gaining or seeking job readiness

  • Healthy relationships with parent(s)/guardian

  • Secured food and employment opportunities


Relationship Protective Factors include:


  • Parent(s)/guardians who are present

  • Mentors/ Guidance that encourages skill building and self awareness

  • Higher educational opportunities for parent(s)/guardian

  • Secured food and employement opportunities for parent(s)/guardian

  • Safe environments for youth

  • Positive/helpful norms that are encouraged

  • Specific expectations and ethics from parent(s)/guardians

  • Family that supports and provides structure for youth


Our programs help provide these protective factors with wrap around services. We build a plan with participating youth and parent/guardian. We then help implement those plans with the aid of our partners and programs. As opposed to services and opportunities being scattered and exhausting for participants and their familes, we help connect them using a collabortive effort between NMRD programs and partners, famlies and youth. They get the support they need to adjust towards peaceful behavioral changes and helpful lifestyles.


For example, if a young individual wants to become a musician, we work with them on building the required skills and relationships so that they can record the music they like and perform live in front of an audience—expressing themselves and potentially gathering a source of income. All of this is done with the consent and frequent involvement from parent/guardian. This sets an encouraging example that anything can be accomplished with dedication and strong pillars of support.



Thank you for reading, stay tuned for more!

Be Safe <3



 

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