Juvenile Justice: We Can and Must Do Better
Compass Mark focuses on youth in the criminal justice system this month because—like adults—many enter this system due to the multiple hardships they have faced, including childhood toxic stress. Young people with mental health or addiction issues—or both—have a higher…
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Toxic Stress: Difficult Childhoods Impact Body & Brain
It was the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) study in 1997 that made the link between early trauma and illness later in life official. The results overwhelmingly showed that the more significant hardships a person goes through in childhood, the greater…
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Building Healthy Brains: There is Life After Trauma
As we learned in our June Mental Health Moment segment, adverse childhood experiences (ACES) can result in toxic levels of stress, which can harm our physical and mental health later in life. This month, we focus on helping children to…
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Now is the Time: Support Student Mental Health
The mental health of young people has been negatively impacted by the stresses of modern life. Today’s youth juggle classes, extracurriculars, family & friends. They may have part-time jobs or help look after younger siblings. In addition, they are faced…
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Statement on Racial Equity
As an organization dedicated to the prevention of addiction, Compass Mark is acutely aware of the impacts of trauma, violence, and inequity in our community. We grieve the disproportionate loss of life and freedoms experienced by people of color, and…
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The Maze of Injustice
Our Family Services Advocate, Lindsey Ober, participated in the event’s featured panel; Women in the Justice System. The Maze of Injustice showcased in Ronks, PA was held by the Vera Institute of Justice. The maze was created on a 3-acre cornfield…
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Parent Guides: Teen Anxiety and Substance Abuse
Anxiety is a natural feeling that everyone experiences from time to time. Your child may feel particularly anxious before a test, for example. But when normal activities like going to school or extracurricular activities cause unease and panic, these feelings…
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New Program Supports Children in Overcoming Effects of Trauma
Most people know that traumatic experiences can have severe impacts on children, but they don’t always know how to help. After witnessing or experiencing trauma—which could take the form of anything from natural disasters to the incarceration of a parent—many…
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Working to Stop Childhood Trauma One Step, One Child at a Time
Childhood trauma can stem from many sources within our homes and in the community, and children can experience it in many forms, including physical or sexual abuse; neglect within the family; or scary events in the community such as school…
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Positive Change Conference Roundup
Over 200 people interested in trauma-informed communities packed our October 3rd Positive Change Conference to learn about: How school districts can lead a community-wide effort to become trauma-informed; How professional boundaries can weaken when vicarious trauma occurs; The most effective…
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