A billboard campaign is taking place in Merrillville, Indiana, USA, to help traumatised children be understood, loved and cared for by society.
According to a study, almost two-thirds of American children have experienced at least one type of Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE), and some have experienced more than four. ACEs are negative feelings that someone can encounter during childhood — until they turn 18. These negative feelings are caused by factors such as: bulling, family problems, abuse, drugs, ill or unemployed parents, lack of education, poverty, etc.
Many children with ACE are haunted by these experiences throughout their lives.
According to federal data, ACEs are very costly to the state budget, both socially and economically. ACEs negatively impact our health: they can lead to death, shortened lifespan, mental illness, addiction and problems focusing. Elaine Spicer, a licensed clinical social worker, says that the public should be given more information about ACEs, through billboards, social media, and newspapers, because what is shareable is bearable.
You can find more about this movement at https://www.acesconnection.com/.