The Southern Arizona Children's Advocacy Center, a community partner of the University of Arizona Pima County Cooperative Extension's Family Engagement Program is hosting a variety of screenings of the documentary film Resilience. Resilience is a documentary that delves into the science of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and a new movement to treat and prevent toxic stress. An adverse childhood experience (ACE) is trauma that takes place in a child’s life before age 18.
Recent research shows that Adverse Childhood Experiences and toxic stress have not only a psychological effect, but have biological effects that last a lifetime.
Did you know?
- People with three or more ACEs were twice as likely to develop heart disease.
- People with four or more ACEs were 3 times more likely to suffer depression & 32 times more likely to have had learning & behavior problems in school.
- People with six or more ACEs had 20 years lower life expectancy.
A multi-sector team in one county in the state of Washington focused on reducing teen crime and by consciously changing their culture, youth arrests for violent crime decreased by 66% ! Other Counties focused on other youth problems and got similar results which added up to $1.4 Billion in real savings over a 10 year period for the whole state.
In Arizona, a variety of community groups are working to prevent ACEs and develop better interventions with those who have already had adverse experiences. This work will enhance the lives of citizens so they can be healthier and more productive while also reducing the burden ACEs have on our economy, health and public-benefit systems.
