Fredericksburg Parent

16 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • March 2023 More than 40% of American high school students surveyed for the Centers for Disease Control's Youth Risk Behavior Survey reported feeling so sad or hopeless that they could not engage in normal activities for at least two weeks during the past year. The survey, conducted in 2021 and released last month, also found significant increases in the percentage of youth who considered suicide, made a suicide plan and attempted suicide. This is the latest in a series of recent headlines about the state of mental health among American youth. While the isolation and trauma of the pandemic certainly exacerbated these trends, many recent surveys point to evidence that teen and ado- lescent mental health was already declining before the pandemic. Amid headlines like these, it's understandable for adults to react with feelings of hopelessness—but if we are going to reverse these trends, then we as adults need to see these headlines as a call to action. And there's plenty of evidence that a single caring and competent adult—whether they are a parent, a coach, a bus driver, a teacher, a neighbor or any other acquaintance —can make a world of difference in a young person's life. One of the most important things we can do to help children now is to simply be aware of how childhood trauma affects the brain, to learn who is at risk for trauma, and to understand what is necessary to transition children out of what many psy- chologists call "survival brain" and into the more productive "learning brain." The Rappahannock Area Community Services Board (RACSB) has been working for years to build what is known as a "trauma-informed" community network in the Fredericksburg region. They also want our community to be safe from suicide. Through training seminars, agency-specific work, classes for K-12 students and other outreach efforts, RACSB is working to spread awareness of the mental health needs of children who have experienced trauma or struggle with thoughts of suicide. For anyone who works with or lives with children, awareness of those needs can make the difference between getting nowhere and making progress. The more people there are in our community who understand the impact that trauma has on the brain and how to mitigate it, the more we can all help each other as we begin to resume our routines after the pandemic. The more people who are aware of the warning signs of suicide, the more we can do to notice, respond, and link to appropriate help. TIPS These skills can help teach and model resilience, an important protective factor for children who experience trauma or struggle with their mental wellness: • SELF CALMING. Managing emotions is hard. Start using five deep breaths or counting to 10 to help your child calm down. • EXPRESSING FEELINGS. When we are able to recognize our different emotions and give names to them, we can work to better address and tame those feelings. • OFFERING CHOICES. This helps build decision-making skills and teaches that every choice has a consequence (some good and some not). It also helps youth have a sense of control which is empowering. • MASTERING A SKILL. It takes time to learn and master new skills. In doing so, children learn competence, perseverance and commitment. • SHOWING EMPATHY. Think about being a child and the feelings of being small and powerless. Modeling this behavior and sensitivity will serve your family well during these tough times and beyond. • DEVELOPING SELF-ESTEEM. Our self- esteem begins with the messages we receive from our parents and caregivers. Celebrate successes, even small ones. Let children know that you love them for who they are and not what you want them to be. It Takes a Village RACSB Offers Trainings to Build a Trauma-informed Community WRITTEN BY EMILY FREEHLING

• Cover