PUblic health
| May 16th, 2024
Helping Children Thrive after Childhood Trauma
Our early years form the bedrock for the rest of our lives; thus, every child deserves to have happy memories of their childhood. Unfortunately, not all children do due to lack of care and attention or the presence of traumatic experiences.
These experiences add up and lead to emotional, physical, and mental health problems later in life. The following traumas are sadly trivialized today:
- Divorce of parents
- Loss of family members
- Constant relocation
- Living through natural disasters
- Growing up with a special needs sibling
- Poverty, Neglect and Homelessness
- Exposure to violence, racism, and bullying.
Two thirds of Americans have experienced at least one traumatic event during childhood so if you had a difficult childhood, you are not alone. Research show that at least 5 of the leading causes of death are linked with childhood trauma.
The GOOD NEWS
Childhood trauma is not always a guarantee for a bad life later. “Risk doesn’t define destiny” Fine.
What can we/Parents do to help?
- Create positive experiences early in life such as:
- actively listen to their thoughts, feelings, and concerns
- validate their emotions, offer support and empathy where necessary.
- encourage children to solve problems and make decisions within age-appropriate limits.
- help children develop healthy coping strategies to manage stress like deep breathing exercise & taking a break to walk or ride a bicycle when overwhelmed.
- be generous with praise and rewards for achievements no matter how small.
- Have loving grandparents in their lives (if possible).
- Ensure that neighbors are kind and teachers are understanding. If the family is going through a tough time, inform teachers so that they can also extend kindness and understanding towards them at school.
- Be open to letting children have trained mentors (background checked). These must be trained to offset the impacts of trauma by building safe, healthy, and nurturing relationships and environment for children.
- Encourage and help kids build healthy relationships with other kids e.g., sports, after school activities can offset negative experiences.
- Sign up for available services that can help children understand that they are not responsible for what happened to them.
- Adults must also heal from their own past traumas to avoid polluting their environment or passing it on.
Lastly, counsellors, therapists and mental health professionals can help children recover from past traumas. 988 is the crisis line for mental health. Use it if you need to.
Reference: Healthy You by Teddi Nicolaus. The Nations Health October 2023
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