HSCP second conference proves popular

An audience of around 180 people attended In Touch with Distress, the second conference hosted by Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care (HSCP) public health team.

The conference, in Dunoon, focused on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and trauma with headline speakers Dr Suzanne Zeedyk, research scientist and Sally Amor, Child Health Commissioner, sharing their knowledge and expertise.

Staff from Police Scotland, education, social work, primary care, adoptive and foster carers and partners from the Third Sector were among the audience being educated and discussing the significant cost of ACEs to health and communities.

Ms Zeedyk encouraged the audience to be curious and reflect on their professional practice while delegates were also encouraged to look through an ACE aware and trauma informed lens in taking action to mitigate the significant negative effects of ACEs and trauma.

Neglect

ACEs can be categorised into three groups: abuse, neglect and household dysfunction.

Evidence highlights that people who experience four or more ACEs are four times more likely to smoke, drink heavily and experience depression.

They are 12 times more likely an increased risk of suicide and 32 times more likely an increased risk of sexually transmitted infections.

However, the negative outcome associated with ACEs are not inevitable.

ACEs are a public health issue and can be mitigated by a variety of means such as focusing on changing our language from ‘what’s wrong with you?’ to ‘what has happened to you?’ and ‘who is there for you?’

Ensuring people have access to appropriate trauma aware services and support is also beneficial.

A report will be prepared and shared helping to identify key points from the event and collated feedback from the audience.

This will help to guide the next set of actions for Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership to address ACEs and build a trauma aware Argyll and Bute.