Mental health is equally important to physical health.
Research tells us the two are inextricably linked in humans of all ages. In children and adolescents, stressors can affect developmental growth and learning.
– Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are consistently linked with negative physical and psychological health outcomes. From behavioral problems and cognitive difficulties, to greater chance of mental health diagnosis — children are at risk.
– Prolonged adversity means irreversible changes in the neurochemical systems too (Perry, 1994).
– Ultimately disruptions are noted in the neuroendocrine and the immune systems (Oral et al., 2016), for example, the overload of cortisol following activation of the HPA at first, that is then followed by lack of cortisol.
