Large Numbers of Latino Kids at Risk for Toxic Stress

Share On Social!

Latinos report the highest levels of stress among groups, due to money, employment, and family and health issues, according to the recent American Psychological Association (APA) annual Stress in America survey.

When it comes to stress and mental health, Latinos often go untreated or undiagnosed.

Persistent stress in young children can become toxic, according to new research from the National Center for Child Traumatic Stress. This toxic stress has been shown to cause “brain changes” that can interfere with learning and lead to more problems in adulthood.

The research was unable to pinpoint exactly how many children have been harmed to date by toxic stress, but the data showed that many live in circumstances that experts say “put them at risk.”

Other findings include:

• Nearly 25% of all kids in the country have a serious traumatic event by the age of 16; this includes abuse, neglect, and neighborhood violence.
• More than 1 in 5 kids have experienced at least two of those traumas and are more likely to have difficulties in school as a result.
• Almost 50% of kids under the age of 18 live in families that are at or near the federal poverty line.

Read more about this study here.