Working with DPP participants who have experienced Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE):
- Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) impact health and may affect one's well-being.
- Self-reported overall health and behavioral health declines as the number of ACEs increases.
- ACEs can be overcome. Those who have experienced an ACE can get assistance to build resilience and decrease the likelihood of adverse mental and physical health issues.
Lately I have been wondering how we connect the strategies that we employ in the year-long DPP program for those who may have experienced life-impacting trauma or ACE. This whole arena of addressing ACE has been receiving a lot of attention as of late, as it relates to not just mental health, but then overall physical health and chronic disease.
Does anyone have experience with helping folks who have experienced ACE? Sometimes overeating and being overweight may be the result of underlying issues, such as ACE. How are we being supportive of those with ACE and do you do anything ‘different’ or in addition to the classes or curriculum to help those you’ve identified who have experienced ACE? Are there other programs and support for people in your community that have experienced ACE?
I’m certainly learning and want to continue to learn and share this information among the MT Diabetes Educator Network community. Looking forward to more discussion!
Respectfully submitted by Marci Butcher, RD, CDE – Montana Diabetes Program, MT DPHHS