Spotlight on Childhood TRauma
MPR's Tom Crann hosted an event in Rochester, Minn., on May 29 with three experts who explore the impact of childhood trauma on mental health and suggest ways to build resilience in children.
Introductory comments by Babette Apland, who leads "Call to Mind," MPR's initiative to foster new conversations about mental health:
"For the kids in our lives, mental health and well-being is especially important. Up to 20 percent of children experience a mental health disorder each year, and prevalence rates are increasing. Half of all mental illnesses first emerge by age 14, and 75 percent by age 24.
When a child feels intensely threatened by an event that they experience, that is trauma. Childhood trauma occurs more than most people think. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services states more than two-thirds of children reported at least one traumatic event by age 16. The impact of child traumatic stress is significant and is linked to chronic physical and mental health conditions.
But there is hope. Children can and do recover from traumatic events, and you can play an important role in their recovery. One key is to approach children not with the question, 'what's wrong with you?' but rather, 'what happened to you?'
Panelists:
• Anne Gearity is a licensed independent clinical social worker, who treats children, adolescents and adults. She is a leading trainer, consultant and educator on the issue of childhood trauma as a clinical faculty member in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Minnesota.
• Resmaa Menakem is a national expert on cultural trauma. He is a licensed independent clinical social worker and founder of Justice Leadership Solutions in Minneapolis. He's also the author of "My Grandmother's Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies."
• Denise Moody is assistant director of student services at Rochester Public Schools, and an adjunct faculty member at Winona State University teaching social work. She is also a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and founder of Resilience Impact, a resource for creating trauma-informed schools.