COH-AWH-What_Would_it_Take

MOVING FORWARD
Research has shown that ACEs profoundly affect a child’s ability to develop and learn, with the
resultant toxic stress often derailing the healthy development of the brain (Anda et al., 2006).
Within the homelessness literature, national data indicates that young people that experience
adversity prior to becoming homeless are more likely to experience poorer mental health,
suicide attempts, a lower quality of life, and negative psychological resilience than youth
that did not have these experiences (Kidd et al., 2017). Importantly, as ACEs accumulate for
young people, their chances of experiencing both homelessness and mental health challenges
increase (Montgomery et al., 2013; Novac, 2007). ACEs have been identified as a major public
health problem that require primary and secondary prevention efforts. This is a particularly
urgent concern for Indigenous youth, many of whom experience high levels of ACEs and
intergenerational trauma due to the transmission of historical oppression and its negative
consequences across generations (Patrick, 2014).
Adversity can be reduced by
building healthy communities
and ensuring that families
have the resources they
need to thrive.
“Literally anyone who
works with youth should be
prepared for preventative
stuff, or resources for when a
youth is homeless.”
EDMONTON YOUTH
This means that as a society, we must provide the conditions for caregivers to be able to
support their children and provide nutritious food, safe and adequate housing, good quality
childcare and healthcare, access to education and transportation, and opportunities for
recreation, growth, friendship, and social inclusion.
WHAT WOULD IT TAKE? 64