Overcoming Adverse Childhood Experiences
At eight years old, Madison was receiving mental health treatment to help cope with the trauma she experienced and the stress disorder it caused. Her therapist asked if she would like to have a mentor. She replied with a shrug of the shoulders, “I guess.”
Although she was told her mentor would show up every week for at least a year, Madison, like many kids, didn’t really believe this would happen. She was used to having unreliable adults in her life.
But Traci showed up, week after week, as promised. And in addition to reliability, she brought with her clear-headed positivity and hope. This was just what the doctor ordered.
Childhood stress and trauma can have significant health and life impacts. The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study that began in the 1990s is the largest ongoing examination of the correlations between childhood maltreatment and adult health and well-being outcomes.
The study has collected data from over 17,000 participants to find that certain experiences are major risk factors for the leading causes of illness and death, as well as poor quality of life, in the United States. Bottom line: the rougher your childhood, the higher your risk for health problems later in life.
That said, the study doesn’t tally the positive experiences that can help build resilience and protect a child from the effects of trauma. For example, having a grandparent who loves you, a mentor who understands and believes in you, or someone you can trust and confide in may mitigate the long-term effects of early trauma.
By realizing these important correlations of the ACEs study, efforts toward prevention and recovery are improving. Effective mentoring, like Great Life Mentoring, is one prevention model that, while it cannot change the child’s negative life experiences, increases the child’s resilience and provides a number of positive assets in their life.
Great Life Mentoring increases the child’s opportunity for emotional and psychological well-being, healthy relationships and connectedness to community and education. The participants also believe there are additional, unquantifiable outcomes, such as a deep sense of love and belonging. And, while it cannot be measured, participants say they intuitively recognize its value.
Many children in Great Life Mentoring have been victims of child abuse and neglect. These instances of violence have greatly impacted their lives and development, but there is hope for a more positive outcome as protective factors are increased.
When they started their mentoring relationship, Traci recalls, “Madison wasn’t ready for eye contact, and that’s ok.” She also didn’t talk much, but this changed over time. Eventually, Madison blossomed with a unique sense of humor and kindness that Traci adores. There is no mistaking the feeling you get when you’re with someone who really likes you and thinks the best of you. That’s something Great Life mentors offer their friends.
With Traci as her champion, Madison went from an IEP (individualized educational plan) and behavior problems at school to flourishing. She transitioned to a new placement at school and enjoyed success—within a year!
In their time together each week, Madison grew to really enjoy talking freely with her mentor. They particularly like reflecting on the past and planning for the future a bit each week. They say that’s their thing. The confidence that Traci has in Madison has helped her to believe in herself, as well.
More information can be found at the following links: the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study and Great Life Mentoring.
Volunteer in Portland OR or volunteer in Vancouver WA. Great Life Mentoring provides free training and support.
You can support this valuable work by making a tax-deductible donation here. Thank you.