Addressing the Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences in the Context of COVID-19

Yesterday, the New York Times published the article “Many Teens Report Emotional and Physical Abuse by Parents During Lockdown,” drawing from a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about adolescents’ mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.?

Researchers at Community Health Center Inc.’s Weitzman Institute have been closely following this issue and yesterday released the policy brief “Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences in the Context of COVID-19.”?Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are potentially traumatic events occurring in childhood – including but not limited to physical abuse.

The brief looks at COVID’s impact on children and families, and how the pandemic’s health, social, and economic impact may result in an increase in ACEs, especially in vulnerable populations.

The brief also highlights the need for better ACEs screening in primary care, the need for primary care providers to be trained in trauma-informed care, and for improved access to care through school-based health centers.?

Thank you to Daniel Bryant, May Oo, Brandon Azevedo, and April Joy Damian for this important work.?Please take a few moments to read the policy brief and reflect on how organizations you are involved with can help address the pandemic's effect on our children’s mental health.