Graphic of the Week- ACEs and mental health conditions among children

Data on Ohio children shows that those who experience adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are more likely to have at least one mental, emotional, developmental or behavioral condition, as illustrated above.

ACEs are potentially traumatic events that occur during childhood. These can include abuse, neglect or other household challenges, such as living with someone with a mental health condition or substance use disorder or who experienced incarceration. There is clear evidence that ACEs negatively affect brain development and increase the likelihood of numerous physical and mental health conditions through adulthood.
 
The data was included in HPIO’s policy brief “Factors Contributing to Child and Youth Mental Health Struggles.” The brief, which was released in July, is the second in a series of four planned HPIO publications on child and youth mental health.
 
The brief describes how each factor influences child and youth mental health, the extent to which it exists in Ohio and what the state is doing to address it. Finally, it presents a variety of policy options that could be implemented to address each topic.
 
Next Month, HPIO is planning to release the third brief in the Child Mental Health series. The new publication will focus on access to mental healthcare services for Ohio children across levels of care.