Office of Children's Mental Health Discusses Toxic Stress in Children

Wednesday, April 12th, 2023 -- 11:01 AM

Everyone experiences stress in their life, but some types of stress are more than a daily nuisance.

Toxic stress like poverty, discrimination, abuse, and housing insecurity are continuous stressors that create a constant state of fear and uncertainty. When stress is persistent and threatening to a child, the impacts are toxic: damaging their developing brain and body, impacting their physical and mental health.

Youth living in environments with consistently toxic levels of stress can have difficulty learning, working, behaving, and maintaining healthy relationships. Toxic stress and traumatic events impact adolescents’ decision-making, impulse control, and emotional regulation. These, in turn, impact their mental health.

“The good news is that parents can teach and model healthy coping skills to reduce the effects of toxic stress," said Linda Hall, director of the Office of Children's Mental Health. "Teaching children how to cope with stress is important, but so is addressing the factors that create toxic stress for families.”

Outlining these impacts on youth mental health, today the Office of Children’s Mental Health (OCMH) issued a new fact sheet on toxic stress, and highlighted reduction strategies.

Parents can instill healthy household habits: connect over meals, get sufficient sleep, exercise, and spend time in nature. Families can ensure children have at least one trusted adult in their lives.

Schools can provide extra support to children known to have been exposed to traumatic events or to be experiencing Adverse Children Experiences (ACEs). Policymakers can expand refundable tax credits, which reduce stress, poverty, child neglect, and housing insecurity.

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