ORANJESTAD, St. Eustatius - The recent disappearance of a young girl on Sint Eustatius has also sparked broader discussion about the emotional distress that may underlie runaway behavior among children and teenagers.
Child psychologist and therapist Xiomara Balentina emphasizes that, while she is not familiar with the specific circumstances of the current case, children and teens may run away for a variety of reasons, including family problems, difficulties at school, peer conflicts or attempts to escape situations they experience as negative or overwhelming.
According to Balentina, running away is often not an act of rebellion, but a sign that a young person is struggling emotionally and sees no other immediate solution. She stressed that communities should avoid quickly judging children who run away and instead recognize such behavior as a possible indication of distress.
Cry for help
Fellow psychologist and educational expert Jean Marie Schmidt expresses similar concerns, describing runaway behavior as “a child’s cry for help.” According to Schmidt, children often communicate emotional pain through behavior rather than words. “People think children who run away are rude or bad,” she noted, “when in reality the behavior itself may be the child’s way of saying: please help me, I cannot deal with this situation.”
Both psychologists stress the importance of responding with empathy and support once a child is found. Rebuilding trust, identifying possible triggers and involving family members, schools and community support systems are all considered important in reducing the likelihood of repeated incidents.
Challenges in small communities
Balentina and Schmidt also point to the particular challenges within small communities, where public reactions and speculation can either support or further burden children and families involved in difficult situations. According to the psychologists, a compassionate and non-judgmental response from the community can play an important role in helping young people recover and feel safe enough to express what they are experiencing.
