“Health plans can help with early identification of trauma-related risk factors and connect families to the support they need. But that only works if members understand that what they’ve experienced is trauma, and that it matters to their health.”
Veena Luthra, MD – Medical Director
Trauma can take any number of forms: physical, sexual or emotional abuse, neglect, loss of a loved one, being bullied, community violence or even systemic injustices like poverty and discrimination. It can be a single event, a prolonged experience, or the result of witnessing harm done to others. Children are especially vulnerable. According to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, nearly 25% of children in the U.S. experience at least one traumatic event by age 16.
Because it’s not always visible, trauma can be difficult to treat. Recognizing trauma is the first step toward improving behavioral and physical health outcomes. If we address trauma early and comprehensively, we can help stop its ripple effects across generations.
Trauma shapes how people view themselves, their relationships and the world around them. Untreated trauma in childhood is linked to increased risk of depression, anxiety, substance use, chronic physical conditions, and academic and social challenges. Adults with four or more Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are 7x more likely to become alcoholic, 3x more likely to experience depression, and are at an increased risk for conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. These long-term impacts drive costs and cause preventable suffering in the family unit.
Health plans can help with early identification of trauma-related risk factors and connect families to the support they need. But that only works if members understand that what they’ve experienced is trauma, and that it matters to their health. Unfortunately, many adults living with depression, anxiety or substance use disorders don’t realize that trauma is at the root of their struggles. As a result, they may seek care only for the symptoms, not the cause, or they may avoid care altogether due to fear, shame or mistrust. That’s where education, trauma-informed care and personalized care management can help.
Building a trauma-informed support system
Trauma requires more than a one-time visit to a behavioral health care provider. It needs a high-touch, human-centered approach that includes:
- Educating members about what trauma is and how it shows up in everyday life
- Training providers and care managers in trauma-informed practices
- Creating safe, trust-based relationships through culturally competent, person-first care
- Coordinating behavioral health services that treat both trauma and co-occurring conditions
- Supporting families, because helping parents or caregivers process trauma directly benefits their children
We may not be able to prevent trauma, but we can help families understand it, talk about it and heal from it. That means giving them tools to recognize when trauma has impacted their lives and showing them that recovery is possible.
Veena Luthra, MD is a medical director at Lucet.
