Factors that influence mental health in young people cont.
health problems such as PTSD and depression (63). Early childhood experiences have a huge impact on how a child or young person grows and develops, and this can include their physical and mental health. Adverse childhood events can be a single event or multiple occurrences that threaten and breach the child’s safety, trust, or bodily integrity. Reoccurring events are likely to impact a young person’s development and health more severely (64). Adverse childhood events can include but are not exclusive to:
– Physical abuse – Sexual abuse – Neglect
– Bullying or victimisation – Periods of serious illness – Being in an accident
– Crime or community violence – Family separation or divorce – Bereavement following the death of a friend or family member – Involvement in crime, gang, or drug culture – Time in a young offender’s institute/prison or the criminal justice system – Time in residential care – Second-hand trauma through media channels i.e. concerns about climate change and global events (65) Research found that experiencing abuse or neglect as a child can cause the development of multiple mental health conditions.
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