Mental health, suicide risk rises after childhood trauma
It is more common to live through a traumatic childhood than to grow up without it.
A new study found that 3 out of 4 high school students had at least one potentially harmful event involving violence, abuse or exposure to mental health or behavioral problems. use drugs.
And, in particular, 1 in 5 high school students said they had experienced at least four of these potentially dangerous incidents.
Health professionals call these adverse childhood events, or ACEs, and they have been shown to increase the risk of developing health problems and mental health problems later in life. an adult.
The report, released Tuesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, provides an in-depth analysis of the 2023 Youth Behavior Study of 20,000 students at public and private high schools nationwide.
It marks the first time the CDC surveyed respondents about childhood trauma while in high school rather than surveying them later as adults or asking parents.
Dr. Allison Arwady, director of the National Center for Disaster Prevention and Control, Dr. Allison Arwady said: “It means that it is timely information. “I am happy with this work because it helps us to think clearly about what we can do to continue with those problems.”
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In the survey, students were asked about examples of emotional, physical and sexual abuse; physical neglect; intimate partner violence, substance abuse, mental health in the family; and imprisoning a parent or guardian.
Emotional abuse outnumbers all other concerns, affecting more than 61% of students. Physical abuse and mental health in the family came in second and third.
The researchers found ACEs differed by gender, with teenage girls reporting more incidents than boys.
The results also differed by race and ethnicity.
American Indian and Alaska Native students are the most likely to experience intimate partner violence and substance abuse. However, Asian and Black students were often physically abused.
The study authors also asked students about negative health outcomes, such as obesity, and harmful behaviors, such as binge drinking.
They found that students with at least one ACE were more likely to have these conditions and behaviors than students who reported zero ACEs. Preventing traumatic events can reduce a person’s chances of suicidal thoughts by 85%, abusing prescription opioids by 84%, school performance by 65% and binge drinking by 64%.
Students who experienced four or more ACEs were at higher risk of suicide attempts and misuse of prescription opioids.
Blocking ACEs can also reduce the risk of health conditions, including asthma, kidney disease, stroke, heart disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity, according to the CDC.
There are many ways to prevent or reduce negative childhood experiences. The CDC’s Arwady said talking to children about mental health, monitoring for signs of stress, and supporting emotional development and self-esteem can all help. Students can find these resources at home, at school, and through community organizations.
Arwady stressed the importance of providing support and services to parents and caregivers with mental health and substance abuse issues.
“This has ramifications for the children,” Arwady said. “Working proactively to prevent ACEs and reduce them if they happen – that’s how we can get ahead of these problems as a country.”
Adrianna Rodriguez can be reached at adrodriguez@usatoday.com.
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