Trauma is the personal reaction to a traumatic event (such as out-of-home placement, house fire, parent incarceration, witnessing violence, abuse/neglect, divorce, being bullied, just to name a few). Most people will overcome a traumatic event with support but some will have more serious reactions particularly if other risk factors are also at play. As the number of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) increases, there is a greater likelihood of a variety of negative outcomes. Trauma can impact and have lasting effects on our physical, social, and mental health.

Children that suffer from traumatization often display some symptoms:

• School avoidance
• Somatic complaints
• Extreme anger
• Hyperactivity/Hyperarousal
• Low self-esteem
• Change in eating habits
• Substance or Drug use
• Self-injurious behaviors

Check out these resources for more on trauma:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95ovIJ3dsNk

Mental Wellness or mental health refers our psychological, social, and emotional well being. Mental wellness includes the degree to which we cope with stress, work productively, and meaningfully interact and contribute to our community.

Our mental health often ebbs and flows. It is important that each of us take time to focus on healthy mental wellness. We all need to consciously take care of our body as well as our minds and emotional well being.

Signs of more significant mental health concerns include, but are not limited to:

• Excessive worrying or fear. Frequent nightmares
• Feeling excessively sad or low
• Confused thinking or problems concentrating and learning
• Extreme mood changes, including uncontrollable “highs” or feelings of euphoria
• Prolonged or strong feelings of irritability or anger. Frequent temper tantrums or aggression in children
• Avoiding friends and social activities. Change to school performance
• Difficulties understanding or relating to other people
• Changes in sleeping habits or feeling tired and low energy
• Multiple physical ailments without obvious causes (such as headaches, stomach aches, vague and ongoing “aches and pains”)
• Thinking about suicide or engaging in self-harm
• Inability to carry out daily activities or handle daily problems and stress

If you or someone you know are experiencing notable mental health difficulties, seek additional professional assistance by calling your physician, a helpline, or a community provider in the resources listed below.