“With all my being, I cannot stress this enough: Early intervention is the key,” a Groton mother of a teen who experienced trauma as a child told an audience at the state Capitol Thursday. “My son’s now getting intervention, and it’s working. But he’s now 15, and we have a long road to go.”
Starting Early
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CT stepping up efforts to treat trauma in the very young
A baby crying inconsolably. A toddler stealing food. They’re signs of trauma, but often, even those who work with young children don’t recognize them. Can a new effort change that?
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CT officials see targeting trauma as key to improving health
Experts say exposure to trauma and significant stress early in life can have profound effects on children’s development. Those running Connecticut’s Medicaid program see the impact in another way too. “We pay for a lot of medical and behavioral health services, and chances are many of those are as a result of children and/or adults who have experienced childhood trauma,” William Halsey, a state social services official, said Monday.
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Recognizing trauma and isolation
Nelba Márquez-Greene’s family experienced a high-profile trauma when her daughter, Ana, was killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School. But before that, she understood trauma as a mental health professional. She says we need to do a better job at recognizing and responding when children need help. The last in a series of four.
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From brain science to Stop & Shop
From providing mental health care at the supermarket to training pediatricians in infant mental health, some in health care and social services are trying to apply the lessons of brain science and development to improve children’s health and well-being. The third of four in a series.
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Changing course
Science suggests that having a secure relationship with a caregiver can help protect a child’s brain and body from the effects of adversity. A Connecticut program for very young children who have experienced trauma or other challenges has gotten results by focusing on that relationship – and the things that can interfere, including depression, family violence and a parent’s own history of trauma. The second article in a four-part series.
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The long reach of childhood trauma
Research has linked significant adversity in childhood to a wide range of disorders and diseases, mental and physical. Can understanding this make a profound change in the way we prevent illness? The first of four in a series.
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Resources: Where to find help
If you or someone you know needs help, we’ve compiled a list of services for everything from emergency psychiatric services to child mental health information.
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How to talk about trauma
Studies indicate that most children will be exposed to at least one potentially traumatic event by the time they’re 18. Many of them won’t develop symptoms or require treatment. But many who need help don’t get it, experts say. Here are some things to know about trauma and how to address it.
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Starting Tuesday: A four-part series on the childhood roots of disease
Research indicates that childhood trauma and other forms of significant adversity are common – and they’re linked to a wide range of mental and physical health problems, including depression, heart disease and cancer. But studies also suggest that having a strong bond with a supportive caregiver can help to protect a child from the physiological effects of significant adversity. Starting next week, The Mirror will explore the implications in a four-part series that you won’t want to miss.