Comedian turned advocate Darrell Hammond and filmmaker Michelle Esrick joined Congressional leaders for a discussion about trauma, healing, and prevention for the first forum hosted by the Congressional Trauma Informed Care Caucus (TICC) on September 25. Hammond and Esrick came to highlight insights from the documentary, CRACKED UP, which is directed by Esrick. The film focuses on the effects of childhood trauma, which Darrell suffered from behind the scenes, including 40 years of misdiagnosis.

Hammond shared details of the abuse and torture he experienced at the hands of his mother and his father, a war veteran, who did not protect him. As a survivor of emotional and physical abuse, the trauma manifested in ways that were so painful that Hammond turned to self-injury – cutting – as a way of creating an outward distraction bigger than the intense internal pain he was feeling. Misdiagnosed for decades, he finally found a doctor that told him “mental illness is not an airborne virus, you are the way you are because of something that happened to you.”

That message is one that is a foundational pivot points of the trauma informed care (TIC) movement – away from the focus of “what’s wrong with you” to a more informed and compassionate “what happened to you.” Hammond spoke with the TICC to share his story and support for the work that aims to prevent Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and to promote trauma informed efforts that get to the root of so many health and behavioral health symptoms and illnesses. Hammond was joined by documentary filmmaker Michelle Esrick who featured his story in a soon to be released film, Cracked Up.

Esrick noted, “What inspired me to make this film was when Darrell told me a doctor properly diagnosed him with childhood trauma.” Getting to the root cause of what disrupts life and harms health is an important step toward healing.

The discussion with Hammond and Esrick was sponsored by the Trauma Informed Care Caucus (TICC) that recently formed to prioritize trauma informed transformation in federal policy and practice. The TICC aims to improve the federal government’s understanding of and response to the needs of children, adults, families, and communities affected by toxic stress and trauma. The Caucus also promotes policies and practices that focus on building resilience and protective factors leading to overall improved health and wellbeing. The TICC is co-chaired by Congressman Gallagher (R-WI) and Congressman Davis (D-IL), following their co-sponsorship and successful unanimous passage of H. Res. 443 – Recognizing the Importance and Effectiveness of Trauma Informed Care.

Congressman Gallagher shared, “This meeting was an important step in spreading awareness of TIC and its vital role in helping solve some of our nation’s most pressing public health issues. I thank Darrell Hammond and Michelle Esrick for sharing their perspectives on TIC and the positive impact it’s had on their own communities. By working together and bringing more voices to the table, we have a real opportunity to help improve health outcomes for the millions of children, families, and adults across the U.S. who have been impacted by trauma.”

Congressman Davis also shared some thoughts on the event. “I am grateful to actor Darrell Hammond and filmmaker Michelle Esrick for their willingness to share their experiences to inform the connection between adverse childhood experiences as a root cause to substance use. Through collaborative advocacy with them, legislators, and child and health advocates, the support for Patients and Communities Act includes important new policies that will help prevent substance abuse by enhancing health providers training to recognize and work with trauma exposed children, improving understanding of trauma and its effects, and increasing services for children and families exposed to trauma. I thank everyone who fought for these provisions because their efforts made a difference.”

As Trauma Informed Care Caucus continues to grow, House representatives who are not already participating are encouraged to join.