Mental Health and Trauma
Mental Health and Trauma
What is trauma?
According to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, a traumatic event is a frightening, dangerous, or violent event that poses a threat to a child’s life or bodily integrity. Witnessing a traumatic event that threatens life or physical security of a loved one can also be traumatic. This is particularly important for young children as their sense of safety depends on the perceived safety of their attachment figures.
Traumatic experiences can initiate strong emotions and physical reactions that can persist long after the event. Children may feel terror, helplessness, or fear, as well as physiological reactions such as heart pounding, vomiting, or loss of bowel or bladder control. Children who experience an inability to protect themselves or who lacked protection from others to avoid the consequences of the traumatic experience may also feel overwhelmed by the intensity of physical and emotional responses.
Even though adults work hard to keep children safe, dangerous events still happen. This danger can come from outside of the family (such as a natural disaster, car accident, school shooting, or community violence) or from within the family, such as domestic violence, physical or sexual abuse, or the unexpected death of a loved one. https://www.nctsn.org/
National Child Traumatic Stress Network Resources for Parents
Children and Domestic Violence: How Does Domestic Violence Affect Children? – 2008
Caring for Kids: What Parents Need to Know about Sexual Abuse – 2009
Complex Trauma: Facts for Caregivers – 2014
Learning Center for Child and Adolescent Trauma
Resources for Parents and Caregivers
Tips for Parents on Media Coverage – 2014
Understanding Child Traumatic Stress: A Guide for Parents – 2008
How common is it to experience trauma?
According to the National Institute of Health, approximately 70% of the world’s population has been exposed to a traumatic life event.
Childhood Trauma
More than two-thirds of children experience at least 1 traumatic event by age 16, as reported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Potentially traumatic events include:
- Psychological, physical, or sexual abuse
- Community or school violence
- Witnessing or experiencing domestic violence
- National disasters or terrorism
- Commercial sexual exploitation
- Sudden or violent loss of a loved one
- Refugee or war experiences
- Military family-related stressors (e.g., deployment, parental loss or injury)
- Physical or sexual assault
- Neglect
- Serious accidents or life-threatening illness