THE CRISIS
Toxic stress from Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) can change brain development and affect how the body responds to stress. ACEs are linked to chronic health problems, mental illness, and substance misuse in adulthood. If a child has experienced four or more ACEs before age 18, they have experienced Complex Childhood Trauma.
IN THE USA ALONE
MILLION
Adults have experienced Childhood Trauma
MILLION
Adults have experienced Complex Childhood Trauma
MILLION
Will die 20 years too early due to ACEs
ABOUT CHILDHOOD TRAUMA
“The effects of unresolved trauma can be devastating. It can affect our habits and outlook on life, leading to addictions and poor decision-making. It can take a toll on our family life and interpersonal relationships. It can trigger real physical pain, symptoms, and disease. And it can lead to a range of self-destructive behaviors.”
Peter A. Levine, PhD
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are possible traumatic events that occur from birth through adolescence (zero to eighteen years of age.) ACEs came to fruition through a study by Dr. Vincent Felitti and Dr. Robert Anda to identify negative critical conditions a child may experience and their lasting impacts. Dr. Felitti, the head of Kaiser Permanente’s Department of Preventive Medicine in San Diego, along with Dr. Anda, a researcher for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, set out to conduct a study between 1995-1997 with the hypothesis that childhood trauma is linked to poor physical and mental health in adults. Felitti and Anda collected survey data from 17,000 patients (gathered during their physical exams.) The adverse childhood experience survey included ten questions to identify traumas and neglect. The ACEs were identified as physical and emotional neglect, abuse (sexual, emotional, and physical), and household dysfunctions (including aspects such as parental divorce or separation due to incarceration, substance abuse and addiction, mental health problems, and witnessing violence.)
THE PROMISE OF HEALING
Healing from the affects of childhood trauma is possible.The suggestions for healing included here are based on the written work of mental health experts who have focused on recovery and healing from Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). I have utilized The Adverse Childhood Experiences Recovery Workbook written by Glenn R. Schiraldi, PhD as a resource to advance my own healing. This book provides powerful new strategies to overcome low self-esteem, shame, depression, anxiety, emotional trauma, and other long-term effects of toxic childhood stress.
How We Serve
1.0 AWAKEN
We will raise awareness to the prevalence and destruction from Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and toxic childhood trauma, and to the potential of recovering and healing.
2.0 PROVIDE
We will provide the resources, services, and care to those in need in order to heal from ACEs
3.0 AWAKEN
We will work to end preventable ACEs
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