Almost half of all American children have experienced at least some form of childhood trauma.
Many of these adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs, can be tied back to drug and substance abuse, but their impact may be more widespread than many perceive.
In Tennessee, an estimated 49% of children have at least one adverse childhood experience, and 24.1% have at least two. Nationally, those numbers sit at 45% and 20.5%, respectively. Children with ACEs, such as neglect, physical and sexual abuse and family dysfunction, are more likely to suffer from a wide range of health disorders, both physical and mental — including substance abuse.
What are ACEs and trauma-informed care?
Adverse childhood experiences are traumas children experience from ages 0-17. The original study identified 10 ACEs, but has since expanded to 14. They include:
• Physical abuse.
• Emotional abuse.
• Sexual abuse.
• Emotional neglect.
• Physical neglect.
• Domestic violence.
• Household substance abuse.
• Incarcerated care provider.
• Mental illness in the home.
• Witnessing violence.
• Living in unsafe neighborhoods.
• Experiencing racism.
• Living in foster care.
• Experiencing bullying.
Trauma-informed care is the framework and structure for treatment that involves understanding, recognizing and responding to the effects of trauma. Being trauma-informed, however, is the individual understanding that many — if not most — people have experienced some form of trauma in their lives, and using that knowledge to provide better, more in-depth and well-rounded care.
In 2018, Johnson City became one of the first trauma-informed communities in the country, and its model — which was developed by Ballad Health Administrator Becky Haas and East Tennessee State University professor Dr. Andi Clements — is being used across the country as a toolkit for all communities.
“Though many communities across the nation are beginning to implement some of these (Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration) recommendations, Johnson City clearly stands out as a leader in embracing this model,” Dr. Joan Gillece, director of the National Center for Trauma Informed Care, wrote to Haas and Clements in 2018.
“We’re looking at ways to raise awareness and educate folks, and then collaborate to reduce the effects of childhood trauma,” Haas said. “I’m hopeful we’ll see a decline in children experiencing trauma, but the one thing we learned about ACEs is that what’s predictable is preventable.
“If we know children experience these traumas, then how can we raise up sources of resilience so we can have a buffer,” she added. “(Education) is a must.”
[For more on this story, written by Johnson City Press, go to: https://www.johnsoncitypress.c...ion-doctor-says.html].
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