Table Of Content
The CDC-Kaiser ACE Study
Early experiences in a child's life directly impact that child's mental and physical development over a lifetime. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to understanding how trauma impacts young people, we know that there is a direct correlation between trauma, support, and lifelong outcomes.
There are a lot of things that can cause trauma.
About 20 years ago, doctors at the Centers for Disease Control and Kaiser Permanente discovered something that changed the way we think about childhood experiences. They asked 17,000 people 10 questions. They all started with "Before your 18th birthday, did you experience..." and questioned people about a list of adverse experiences, including various types of abuse, neglect, and violence.
The study's results showed that ACEs are common. About 61% of adults surveyed from 25 states reported having experienced at least one type of ACE, and nearly 1 in 6 reported having experienced four or more types of ACEs.
Idaho's Data
Idahoans are certainly no strangers to Adverse Childhood Experiences. Based on data from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare 2020, Idahoans are more likely to have experienced 4 or more ACEs than the average American.
Based on this data, the more ACEs and Idahoan has:
- They the more likely they are to live below the poverty line
- They are less likely they are to have an income of $75k plus.
- They are less likely they are to graduate college.
Unsurprisingly, childhood trauma can have serious, lasting impacts on mental health and is highly related to suicide attempts.
While the numbers are staggering, we also know that there is something we can do about it.
Because of a new understanding of how our brains develop, we have learned about neuroplasticity. That means that while the brain will experience significant setbacks in development as a result of trauma, with the right proven therapies and the right support, it can heal.
We have learned that childhood trauma is not simply an emotional problem. It has a profound and dramatic impact on kids' brains and bodies that, without intervention, they will carry with them throughout their lives. We also know that there are proven therapies that can help heal the damage caused by early adversity. By teaching young people how to regulate their emotions, develop healthy relationships, and process their traumas, we can help heal the damage and help them build resilience.