Trauma Hurts, Now What? Assessing the Impact of Childhood Traumatic Stress

 
 

Trauma Hurts, Now What? Assessing the Impact of Childhood Traumatic Stress

Written by: Abigail Furry and Caitlin Walter

According to Intermountain Healthcare, traumatic events happen to roughly 80% of children and adolescents by the time they turn eighteen. “After exposure to traumatic experiences, some children and adolescents develop adverse traumatic responses, including acute stress disorder (ASD) or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD),” (Intermountain Healthcare, 2020). Child Advocacy Centers like Cornerhouse serve children and teens who have likely experienced trauma and/or abuse. Many are at high risk for PTSD symptoms including suicidality. Other symptoms of traumatic stress include anger, avoidance of scary situations or trauma reminders, intrusive memories, and nightmares. Because one of CornerHouse’s missions is to help children and families heal from trauma and abuse, we implement “trauma screenings” to help them cope with stress and keep them safe. The trauma screening is implemented by a CornerHouse advocate.

To evaluate children and adolescents for traumatic stress symptoms, CornerHouse has partnered with the Minnesota Pediatric Integrated Post-Trauma Services (PIPS) and uses their trauma screening. PIPS trains CornerHouse staff in the following trauma screening tools: for caregivers, advocates ask them questions about their child using the age 6-10 screening tool. For adolescents ages 11-17, youth answer screening questions with an advocate using the 11+ screening tool. The tools test for “issues surrounding sleep, hypervigilance, intrusive thoughts, avoidance, negative mood, and suicidal ideation,” (Minnesota PIPS). If the caregiver or adolescent indicates that, over the last two weeks, the child or adolescent has experienced any thoughts of suicide, a Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) is completed with the child or caregiver to determine risk, therapy referrals and a mental health crisis safety plan are made, and an ER visit may be advised.

Different measures are taken depending on the results of the screenings. The CPM recommends the following:

  • “The mild range scores (0 – 10) identify a child / teen for whom it would be appropriate to use a “protective approach” with ongoing primary care monitoring and supportive guidance building on strengths.

  • The moderate range (11 – 20) indicates a “resilient approach” is appropriate with a brief in-office intervention (meditation, journaling, etc.) and a referral to a child therapist.

  • Scores in the severe range (21 or higher) indicate a “restorative approach” is needed, which includes a brief in-office intervention and a referral to a therapist with specialized trauma evidence-based treatments (EBT) training (in addition to safety planning, when indicated).”

Teens and caregivers always leave CornerHouse with a number of mental health resources. These include how to identify common signs of traumatic stress, how to find the right therapist and talk to loved ones, and more. If you or somebody you know is experiencing symptoms of traumatic stress, there is hope. Many organizations exist that help people recover from traumatic experiences.

Below are some resources for you and your loved ones:

  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (available 24/7): 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

  • Crisis Text Line (available 24/7): Text HOME to 741741

  • CornerHouse Therapy Services: 612-813-8300

  • Google: “trauma therapists near me”

  • Words to Use When Talking About Suicide PDF

  • Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (http://tfcbt.org)

  • CARE Counseling Therapy Services

  • Call CornerHouse at 612-813-4300 to connect with an advocate for more resources

Stacey