Childhood is a time when kids need to feel safe and loved. But sometimes, children go through very hard things. These are called Adverse Childhood Experiences, or ACEs.

ACEs can include things like:

• Being yelled at or hit by parents or caregivers
• Being touched in an unsafe way
• Living with someone who had a mental illness or addiction
• Not having enough food, clothes, or care
• Not feeling loved or protected

The more hard things a child goes through, the more it can hurt their mind and body later in life. People with many ACEs are more likely to have problems like anxiety, depression, addiction, pain, and even psychosis.

Having a tough childhood can make it harder to feel calm or safe, even as an adult. But it’s important to know: mental illness and addiction are not personal failures. They are signs of deep pain from childhood trauma.

When kids don’t feel safe or cared for, their brains and bodies can stay stuck in “survival mode.” This can lead to problems with emotions, relationships, and health.

Understanding ACEs helps us see the truth: people struggling with mental health often carry invisible wounds from the past.