Child Trauma

• Abuse or assault (psychological, physical, or sexual)
• Domestic, school, or community violence
• National disasters or terrorism
• Loss of property or displacement due to disaster
• Sudden or violent loss of a loved one
• Refugee or war experiences
• Military family-related stress (e.g., parental deployment)
• Serious accidents or life-threatening illness
• Neglect

• Over two-thirds of children report experiencing at least one traumatic event by age 16.
• At least 1 in 7 children experience abuse or neglect annually in the U.S.
• Each day, 14 youth die from homicide, and more than 1,300 are treated for violence-related injuries.

• Preschool Children: Fear of separation, nightmares, crying or screaming a lot, poor appetite.
• Elementary School Children: Anxiety, guilt, shame, lack of concentration, difficulty sleeping, withdrawal or disinterest, aggression.
• Middle and High School Children: Depression, self-harm, substance use, withdrawal or disinterest, risky behavior, aggression.

• Learning difficulties and lower academic performance
• Increased use of health and mental health services
• Higher involvement in juvenile justice systems
• Long-term health issues (e.g., heart disease, diabetes)

• Not all children develop traumatic stress after an event, and with support, many recover and thrive.
• Supportive caregiving systems, access to trauma-informed services, and effective treatments are crucial for recovery.

• Everyone has a natural alarm system that activates in response to perceived danger, preparing the body to fight or flee.
• For children, this alarm may cause feelings of fear, anger, irritability, or withdrawal.
• Recognize what activates the alarm and how their body reacts.
• Determine if there is real danger and seek help from a trusted adult.
• Practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing.

Not all children experience child traumatic stress after experiencing a traumatic event, but those who do can recover. With proper support, many children are able to adapt to and overcome such experiences.

As a family member or other caring adult, you can play an important role. Remember to:

• Assure the child that he or she is safe. Talk about the measures you are taking to get the child help and keep him or her safe at home and school.
• Explain to the child that he or she is not responsible for what happened. Children often blame themselves for events, even those events that are completely out of their control.
• Be patient. There is no correct timetable for healing. Some children will recover quickly. Others recover more slowly. Try to be supportive and reassure the child that he or she does not need to feel guilty or bad about any feelings or thoughts.

Some children may not recover from trauma on their own, even with family support. In these cases, a mental health professional trained in evidence-based trauma treatment can help children and families heal. Treatments like trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy are proven effective, and there are many promising approaches to address child trauma. The best treatment depends on the type, timing, and severity of the trauma.

Families and caregivers can ask a pediatrician, family doctor, school counselor, or clergy member for a referral to a mental health professional and explore treatment options.

To learn more, visit Effective Treatments for Youth Trauma.