By: Colin Michael “Ike” Aherne, Senior
Traumatic stress can be a serious issue for children, and it is important that they get the help they need. Statistics show that 1 in 4 children who are attending school have had a traumatizing experience that could impact learning and the child’s health. Often, children and adolescents do not have the necessary coping skills to manage the impact of stressful or traumatic events. Because youth spend so much time in school and much of their life revolves around related activities, National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) has helped to create communities that “are prepared to recognize and respond to those who have been impacted by traumatic stress.” This has been implemented as further protection to make school a safer, more accepting learning environment for everyone and their individual needs.
The most important part about being a school that meets the NCTSN guidelines is being able to always provide help for struggling students, as well as setting clear guidelines about what is expected of students socially. There are many incidents that can constitute as a traumatic event, which can range from a divorce or chaotic living environment to bullying at school or a car accident. Both students who bully and students who are bullied can suffer lasting psychological effects, and it is vital that schools provide support to all of the students involved in a bullying incident. Students might be distracted by intrusive thoughts about the event that prevent them from paying attention in class, studying, or doing well on a test. Doctors, community members, and school administrators alike feel the need for extra emphasis on students being able to have a network of trustworthy, caring adults who have the resources and connections to ensure that everyone receives the care they need.
Recently, many people have been stressing the need for improving the mental health of kids, and, sometimes, relatively small experiences can have a large effect on performance in school. Very traumatic events can even lead a student to purposely avoid school. Studies have shown that traumatic events can have a long term impact on reading ability and can actually lower one’s IQ. In the classroom setting, this can lead to poor behavior, which can result in reduced instructional time, suspensions, and expulsions. Long-term results of exposure to violence or other traumatic experiences include lower grade point averages and reduced graduation rates. Even without a largely negative experience occurring, students may get bogged down and feel lost in school work and social life. The goal of this initiative is to protect the leaders of tomorrow and advocate opting to get help when students are going through a tough time.
Sources:
"Trauma Informed Schools." Treatment and Services Adaptation Center, 3C Institute, traumaawareschools.org/traumaInSchools. Accessed 19 Nov. 2019.
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