 Have you heard of ACEs? This topic garnered recent media coverage thanks
to Oprah calling attention to it in this
60 Minutes segment.
The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) study
was groundbreaking research conducted in the 1990's by the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) and Kaiser Permanente. The researchers asked over
17,000 people about their experiences with abuse, neglect, domestic violence,
substance abuse, mental illness, or incarceration in the family.
What does this
have to do with workplace wellness?
A high score on
the ACEs test is a powerful predictor of physical and mental problems down the
road. ACEs
contribute significantly to workplace absenteeism, health care costs, and
mental health. According to the CDC, having a high ACEs score can make
you five times as likely to be depressed and cut your overall life expectancy
by as much as 20 years.
The ACEs study
provides an opportunity for employees with mental health issues to better understand
the root cause of their illness. And ACEs provide an opportunity for employers
to integrate trauma-informed and resilience-based practices into their
workplace culture.
Here are some resources
to help you get started:
1.
Knowledge is power. Learn
more about the findings of the ACEs study, plus resources and tools to help you
understand how to use the data. You
can also watch a great overview of the impacts of ACEs in this TedMed Talk from Dr. Nadine Burke Harris.
2. It’s common for employees to use alcohol
or other drugs to numb the pain of childhood trauma.
Attend our Health@Work Spring
Networking Breakfast on Thursday,
April 19, 2018 from 9-11:30 a.m. at Brookdale Library in Brooklyn Center.
You will learn how to bust stigma and
support your employees who may be addressing addiction and other mental health
issues. Special guest, William C. Moyers, vice president of public affairs and
community relations for the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, will share his
personal experience and expert views on addiction, treatment, and recovery.
Register here by Monday April 16.
3.
There
is some good news to share about ACEs! Research
shows that our brains are able to change, grow, and overcome many of the challenges caused by traumatic
stress in childhood. Practices such as mindfulness, regular exercise, good nutrition,
quality sleep, and positive relationships all contribute to developing
resilience and restoring the brain to its intended state. If you would like
help incorporating these activities into your wellness program, consider
implementing the Health@Work Paths to Positivity campaign. Paths to Positivity
is our turn-key mental well-being campaign that helps employees live a happier,
healthier life through connection, mindfulness, and purpose.
Register
here to reserve your spot at this popular training on Thursday, May 22,
2018 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at North Regional Library in Minneapolis.
4. Step To It. Physical activity has many proven benefits for both physical and mental well-being. Learn how the “Tiny Habits”
approach can help your employees make exercise a lifelong habit, and get all
the materials you need to implement our Step To It Challenge in your
workplace in May.
Register here for the workplace coordinator training on Wednesday, April 4, 2018 from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at Brookdale Library in Brooklyn Center.
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