In Case You Haven't Heard…

A new study found that three in four high school students experienced at least one potentially traumatic event involving violence, abuse or exposure to mental health or substance use problems, USA Today reported on Oct. 9. And, notably, one in five high school students said they experienced at least four of these potentially traumatic events. Health experts call these events adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs, and they've been shown to increase the risk of developing chronic health problems and mental health issues in adulthood. The report, published Oct. 8 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), offers a deeper look at a 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey of 20,000 public and private high school students nationwide. It marks the first time the CDC surveyed respondents about childhood trauma while they're still in high school rather than surveying them later in adulthood or asking parents. They found that students who experienced at least one ACE were likelier to experience these conditions and behaviors than students who reported no ACEs. Preventing traumatic events could reduce a person's chances of considering suicide by 85%, misusing prescription opioids by 84%, carrying a weapon at school by 65% and binge drinking by 64%, the study found.