Defining Trauma
Trauma is a pervasive problem. It results from exposure to an incident or series of events that are emotionally disturbing or life-threatening with lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and mental, physical, social, emotional, and/or spiritual well-being.
Experiences that may be traumatic include:
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Physical, sexual, and emotional abuse
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Childhood neglect
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Living with a family member with mental health or substance use disorders
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Sudden, unexplained separation from a loved one
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Poverty
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Racism, discrimination, and oppression
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Violence in the community, war, or terrorism
Although trauma can occur at any age, it has particularly debilitating long-term effects on children’s developing brains. Often referred to as adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), exposure to these experiences is common across all sectors of society: