In the first 40 minutes of this March 9th's Ezra Klein Show podcast, there was a discussion of the effects of ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) on a youth's long-term health. Mr. Klein sits down with the Surgeon General of California Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, and they discuss the extraordinary effects of trauma on a person’s health. I’ll try not to take away too much from the podcast because it is a must listen to if you work with kids, but the discussion gets so in depth about ACEs, Dr. Harris talks about how ACEs affect the cells in our body. I was astonished by the massive impact ACEs have a person’s health, truly flabbergasted. The reason for the effects being so significant, is because of the cumulative nature of trauma. Cumulative meaning, if a kid experiences something traumatic, it is more likely for them to go down a rougher path, which leads to more traumatic experiences and so on and so forth. When all those experiences add up, the toll on the individual is serious and life altering.

Dr. Harris’s studies have shown when four or more ACEs have been experienced, a person is 32 times more likely to have a learning disorder, more likely to have economic struggles, develop anxiety or depression, and the likely hood of heart disease more than doubles. Even though ACE's influences impoverished communities more often than affluent communities, the health risks of toxic stress or trauma affects everybody, (even every species) equally. The initial study for ACEs was done in a community north of San Diego, filled mostly of white and highly educated subjects. The effects of ACEs were as impactful in that community as in any struggling neighborhood of any city. Trauma affects us all, and it does not stop after the traumatic event, it lingers and unfortunately can lead to long term health risks.  

What I believe is more amazing and motivating, is the influence on what the Surgeon General calls "buffering.” She explains that when at risk youth have a person to help "buffer" the effects of trauma, the long-term health risk is more likely to diminish significantly.  What is buffering? Buffering is having a positive influence for the youth to be able to manage their emotions during and after traumatic experiences or toxic stress situations. Dr. Harris called for California to create more Trauma informed solutions and steps to help these students get the help they need, by creating their health initiative Roadmap to Resilience. At STRYV365, we are trying to fight this battle, we understand the toll of trauma and want to help students.

This was not more evident than this past week when a student contacted one of our coaches, with a life changing event. The student stayed on our Zoom call longer than our class time and wanted to talk about his situation. We offered our support; he was very appreciative of our words and for me it will be a moment I will not forget. It was a reminder of the smallest action like our Coach reaching out to the student by saying “hi” via chat (something he does every time we meet) can help buffer a kid’s tough day.

If you are like me and it is hard to see true impact on a youth’s daily life, maybe it is not about impacting their life overnight, but it starts with a buffer for a kid who needs a shine.

Take a listen!