A Focus on Pediatric Mental Health
Over the next 2 months, we are partnering with Paving the Way MSI, DC’s Mental Health Access in Pediatrics (DC MAP) program, to promote mental health access and services. We’ll include more resources on our website. For more information related to this first article, check out our Trauma-Informed Toolkit.
Trauma-informed care (TIC) is a healthcare approach that recognizes the profound impact of trauma on individuals and communities. It prioritizes understanding the effects of trauma and embedding this knowledge into treatment methods. Children are especially susceptible to trauma, and studies indicate that unaddressed adverse childhood experiences can result in negative consequences later in life.
Trauma, especially exposure to violence, significantly impacts the mental health of adolescents. Young people who experience trauma often exhibit signs that indicate a need for Trauma-Informed Care (TIC), such as academic struggles, behavioral issues, and increased high-risk behaviors. They also face a higher risk of developing mental health issues like depression and anxiety. Understanding these connections is vital for offering effective support and interventions to help adolescents overcome their challenges.
Over 30% of children in Washington D.C have considered suicide, indicating a serious mental health crisis. The problem is worse for those in underserved and impoverished communities, where 7.4% face a higher risk of community and interpersonal violence—double the national average. This highlights an urgent need for targeted interventions and support systems to improve the well-being of children in the District of Columbia.
This article was provided by The DC Mental Access Pediatric Program, which employs an integrated care model aimed at working with pediatric providers to connect adolescents to trauma-informed care. Through a referral process, the DC MAP team offers doctor-to-doctor consultation and family support through care coordination. You can learn more about DC MAP at our website
This newsletter series is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $4,160,000 with no percentage financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS or the US government.