Trauma & Its Impact in the Workplace
Why the focus on trauma?
Data from the Louisville Region
Supporting a healthy workforce requires an acknowledgement that traumatic events are common, and can have long-lasting effects on a person’s well-being.
More than half (59%) of Kentucky residents have experienced at least one adverse childhood experience (ACE), such as problem drinking in the household, verbal abuse, or domestic violence, among other traumatic events. And it's usually not just one kind of trauma. Of those that have experienced at least one ACE, nearly two-thirds have experienced two or more ACEs. Source.
In 2021, 15 out of every 1,000 Kentucky children experienced abuse. This is nearly double the national rate of 8 out of every 1,000 children, and puts Kentucky among the top 10 states with the highest rates of child abuse. Source.
The recent rise of violence has been another challenge to contend with. A report from the Greater Louisville Project found that violence disproportionately affects youth and young adults in Louisville, and has increased in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The pandemic and protests for racial justice have also impacted the overall mental health of the region’s youth and young adults. 38% of the region’s 10th graders reported poor mental health most of the time or always during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, 1-in-4 of Kentucky’s Black students reported being a target of racism, increasing the likelihood of poor mental health and substance abuse. Source.
Trauma is an important (and often overlooked) force that impacts all aspects of society, including the workplace. This webinar is designed to help inform employers and give them tools to help foster a healthier workforce.
For questions, please email Mike Karman at mike.karman@kentuckianaworks.org.