Long Term Effects of Childhood Trauma
People who experience trauma as children are more likely to suffer severe health consequences later in life.Violence, substance misuse, and mental health problems that people witness in childhood are potentially traumatic, and are called "Adverse childhood experiences," (or ACEs).
According to researchers from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, an analysis revealed the link between self-reported ACEs and 14 negative health conditions and socioeconomic factors. They found that 60.9% of adults reported one adverse childhood experience, while 15.6% reported four or more.
Such experiences were "significantly associated with poorer health outcomes, health risk behaviors, and socioeconomic challenges," the study says, including depression, heavy drinking, smoking, lower educational attainment and unemployment. These experiences also are closely tied to at least five of the top causes of death in the United States: heart disease, cancer, respiratory diseases, diabetes, and suicide.
Public health experts say addressing childhood trauma is key to reversing the U.S. opioid epidemic and bringing down the high rate of "deaths of despair" from drugs, alcohol and suicide in the U.S. While preventing ACEs and addressing their consequences later in life is easier said than done, multiple programs and approaches could help.
Willowstone Family Services helps fill the gap of prevention services available to combat the effects of adverse childhood experiences. Our parenting workshops, Get S-M-A-R-T, Jr. program, mental health counseling, Healthy Families and Baby TALK, all assist in building resilient communities with children and families equipped to weather the storms of life. Consider joining our cause to build awareness, equip families and provide solutions for mental health issues to positively impact our community.
RESILIENCE IS WITHIN OUR REACH!
