Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are potentially stressful or traumatic experiences that occur before the age of 18.
ACEs may include:
- Abuse or neglect
- Growing up in poverty or facing discrimination
- Seeing or experiencing violence in the community
- Household challenges such as mental illness, substance use or divorce
ACEs can affect a person’s health and development for their entire life. Without support, ACEs can lead to toxic stress, which harms the brain and body. This can increase a person’s risk of negative health outcomes later in life, such as cancer, heart disease, and depression.
What is resilience?
Resilience is the ability to stay well in the face of significant stress or hardship. Adversity does not define someone’s future. It’s possible to become more resilience at any stage of life, but it’s easiest to build the basis of resilience in early childhood.
You can build resilience by:
- Reducing sources of stress wherever possible.
- Learning ways to manage emotions and cope.
- Building strong connections with family, friends and caring adults.
These steps create supportive environments where children and adults can thrive, no matter what adversities they have faced.
Positive experiences matter
Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) are protective experiences that help children feel safe, supported and valued. They can contribute to healthy development, buffer the effects of ACEs and help build resilience. Examples of PCEs include:
- Having supportive, nurturing relationships with caregivers and other adults
- Feeling connected to family, friends, or their community
- Exploring, playing, and learning in a safe environment.
- Support to develop healthy coping skills.
- Having a strong connection to their culture or identity.
How we can all help
Building a resilient community is something we can all do together. Everyone has a role in helping children grow up in a safe, supportive environment with positive adult relationships.
Ways to build your own resilience
- Learn more about ACEs and how to break the cycle of trauma
- Build supportive, healthy relationships with people you trust
- Practice and model healthy coping habits
- Participate in activities that connect your family to society and your cultural or religious communities
- Encourage consistent routines
- Take care of your body with enough sleep, healthy food and find ways to stay active
Ways to build resilience in children
- Spend quality time together: Eat meals, play games, go for a bike ride or read together
- Get to know your children’s friends
- Encourage your child to try new activities in a safe way
- Help children identify and name their emotions
- Model and teach your child calming exercises such as drawing, snuggling with a pet, reading, deep breathing and watching a happy video
Struggling? Need help?
Contact your family physician or call:
- Here 24/7 Waterloo Wellington: 1-844-437-3247
- 24/7 Crisis Support Peel Dufferin: 1-888-811-2222
Community Resilience Coalition of Guelph & Wellington is a group of community partners taking action on ACEs in our community.
ACEs and Resilience Training
Visit the Community Resilience Coalition website to learn more and consider their multiple training opportunities for community leaders and service providers to better understand Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the actions that can be taken to prevent and reduce effects as well as promote resilience.
