Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) study by Felitti et al. (1998) found links between adult health issues and their traumatic experiences in childhood.  Over the past two decades more and more correlations of mental/physical health concerns and ACEs have been uncovered.  

The ACE categories are:

• experiencing violence, abuse, or neglect
• witnessing violence in the home or community
• having a family member attempt or die by suicide
• substance misuse
• mental health problems
• instability due to parental separation or household members being in jail or prison

(About theCDC-Kaiser ACE Study |Violence Prevention|Injury Center|CDC, 2019)

It is estimated that more than half of the U.S. population has at least one ACE and many of us have more than one (Felitti 2019).  The more ACEs the higher the likelihood of having adult health challenges. People who have ACEs are also susceptible to becoming re-traumatized.  Trauma-awareness helps us all to build skills and gain knowledge to help reduce the chances of re-traumatizing another person. 

If you would like more information on Trauma awareness, please visit the 

National Childhood Traumatic Stress Network 

Or 

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA)