Awareness Day Social Media Late April 2011

Late April 2011: Prevalence of Exposure to Violence during Childhood

In 2009, researchers found that more than 60 percent of youth age 17 and younger have been exposed to crime, violence, and abuse either directly or indirectly including witnessing a violent act, assault with a weapon, sexual victimization, child maltreatment, and dating violence. Nearly 10 percent were injured during the exposure to violence, 10 percent were exposed to maltreatment by caretaker, and 6 percent were a victim of sexual assault.1

With help from families, providers, and the community, young children can demonstrate resilience when dealing with trauma.

Research has shown that caregivers can buffer the impact of trauma and promote better outcomes for children even under stressful times when the following Strengthening Families Protective Factors2 are present:

•Parental resilience
•Social connections
•Knowledge of parenting and child development
•Concrete support in times of need
•Social and emotional competence of children


Trauma Data Source:

1.Finkelhor, D., Hamby, S.L., Kracke, K., Ormrod, R.K., & Turner, H.A. (2009). Children’s Exposure to Violence: A Comprehensive National Study. Juvenile Justice Bulletin.
2.Horton, C. (2003). Protective factors literature review. Early care and education programs and the prevention of child abuse and neglect. Center for the Study of Social Policy.
Use these sample messages to share this early childhood trauma and resilience data point with your connections on Twitter and Facebook and via email.


Twitter: More than 60% of youth 17 yrs & younger have witnessed violence. 10% injured due to it. Read: http://1.usa.gov/fAInvl via @samhsagov #1in5

Facebook: More than 60 percent of youth age 17 and younger have been exposed to violence to crime, violence, and abuse either directly or indirectly, such as witnessing a violent act, assault with a weapon, or sexual victimization, among others. Learn more about exposure to violence during childhood and observe National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day: http://1.usa.gov/fAInvl


Awareness Day Social Media Late April 2011

Building Resilience in Children and Youth Dealing with Trauma

Even from as young as 18 months, children can be affected by traumatic events and have serious problems later in childhood and adulthood. But the great news is that, with help from families, providers, and the community, children and youth can demonstrate resilience when dealing with trauma.

Traumatic experiences can range from a one-time incident, such as a sudden death of a loved one or a natural disaster, to ongoing exposure to experiences, such as bullying or family violence. Identifying that a child has experienced trauma is not always easy because emotional and behavioral responses to trauma vary depending on a child’s age, personality, the type and severity of the incident, and availability of adult support.

Studies on stress response in children show that there can be physiological and structural changes in the brain and neurological systems and can, without intervention, result in enduring problems such as depression, anxiety, aggression, impulsiveness, delinquency, hyperactivity, and substance abuse.

•More than 60% of youth age 17 and younger have been exposed to crime, violence and abuse either directly or indirectly.
•Young children exposed to 5 or more significant adversities in the first 3 years of childhood face a 76 percent likelihood of having one or more delays in their cognitive, language, or emotional development.
•As the number of traumatic events experienced during childhood increases, the risk for the following health problems in adulthood increases: depression; alcoholism; drug abuse; suicide attempts; heart and liver diseases; pregnancy problems; high stress; uncontrollable anger; and family, financial, and job problems.


There is a range of behaviors that could be signs that a child is having difficulty dealing with a traumatic event, such as, but not limited to:

•Separation anxiety or clinginess towards teachers or caregivers
•Changes in appetite
•Decreased interest in and/or withdrawal from friends or family and normal activities
•Over- or under-reaction to physical contact, sudden movements, and sounds
•Angry outbursts and/or aggression
•More frequent complaints of headaches, stomachaches, or fatigue
•Repeatedly recreating the event through comments, drawings, or activity
•Emotional “numbing,” or expressing no feelings at all about the event
•Drop in school performance


What can teachers, caregivers, and other adults do to help a child who has experienced trauma? The U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offers these suggestions:

•Maintain usual routines
•Make sure that the child is not being isolated
•Provide a safe place where the child can talk about the incident
•Be sensitive to potential environmental cues that may cause a reaction (e.g., an approaching storm or the anniversary of an event)
•Prepare the child in advance of a change in routine or other event that could be unsettling
•Monitor what information the child shares with other children to prevent excessive curiosity from peers
•Nurture the child’s positive self-view
•Draw on cultural and familiar assets

With the support of caring adults, children can recover from traumatic events, reestablish a sense of well-being, and obtain treatment and other services if needed. The more you know about trauma and children, the more you can do to help them. For more resources on early childhood and trauma, visit http://www.samhsa.gov/children/earlychildhood_trauma.asp.


Building Resilience in Children and Youth Dealing with Trauma


Caring for Every Child's Mental Health
Caring for Every Child's Mental Health


The Plays - Production Details | The Shakespeare Theatre Company
The Plays - Production Details | The Shakespeare Theatre Company