Challenges
Intergenerational Trauma/ Intergenerational Resilience
Intergenerational trauma is a reality for many Alaskans. Sometimes known as historical trauma, it is the cumulative emotional and psychological wounding over the lifespan and across generations as a result of massive group trauma. In Alaska, historical traumas include outbreaks of disease that wiped out Alaska Native communities, forced displacement of Alaska Native children to boarding schools, and the loss of Alaska Native language and culture, to name a few. Historical trauma can have varied effects on individuals and communities that may include: unsettled trauma or grief, depression, high mortality, an increase in alcohol abuse, child abuse, and domestic violence. These effects can be passed on through generations, even changing the cells and DNA of the children of survivors, according to the new science of epigenetics, which looks at how people’s genes are affected by their environment. The good news from this emerging science is that we can change our biology and, therefore, our lives for the better. Communities are resilient, creative, and strong, thriving despite long histories of trauma.
Communities are resilient, creative and strong, thriving despite long histories of trauma.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
Stressful or traumatic experiences in childhood can have a significant impact on lifelong health and opportunity, including increasing the risk of experiencing or carrying out domestic or sexual violence. These traumatic childhood experiences include abuse and neglect and household dysfunction, such as witnessing DV or living with someone dealing with substance misuse. These, along with other traumas, are known as Adverse Childhood Experiences, or ACEs. Since 2013, Alaska, along with 30 other states, has collected data on ACEs. 64.4% of Alaskans experienced at least one or more ACEs. This experience of childhood trauma is linked to a wide range of health problems across the lifespan because of the effect stress has on a child’s developing brain. By creating protective environments where children can thrive, childhood trauma can be prevented. Preventing trauma, supporting healing, and building resilience for those who do experience trauma, can dramatically improve the health and wellness of Alaskans and reduce rates of violence.
Inequity
Intergenerational trauma is a reality for many Alaskans. Sometimes known as historical trauma, it is the cumulative emotional and psychological wounding over the lifespan and across generations as a result of massive group trauma. In Alaska, historical traumas include outbreaks of disease that wiped out Alaska Native communities, forced displacement of Alaska Native children to boarding schools, and the loss of Alaska Native language and culture, to name a few. Historical trauma can have varied effects on individuals and communities that may include: unsettled trauma or grief, depression, high mortality, increase of alcohol abuse, child abuse and domestic violence. These effects can be passed on through generations, even changing the cells and DNA of the children of survivors, according to the new science of epigenetics, which looks at how people’s genes are affected by their environment. The good news from this emerging science is that we can change our biology and therefore our lives for the better. Communities are resilient, creative and strong, thriving despite long histories of trauma.