Tackling the Silent Epidemic of Childhood Trauma and Grief
Channel: UHD College of Public Service
Date: 2022-05-10

Dr. Julie Kaplow returns to speak on how bereavement, which she describes as the silent epidemic manifests in juvenile justice youth. She will speak to specific data/information regarding this population. The pandemic has led to a silent epidemic of grief, or "psychological long COVID", among youth exposed to pandemic-related losses. In fact, over 25,000 Texas youth have experienced the death of a parent or caregiver due to COVID, with the majority of these losses occurring among Black and Hispanic families. Many of these families were already facing health disparities, racial traumas, and higher death rates prior to the pandemic, making them even more vulnerable to mental and behavioral health issues. This presentation will provide an overview of how trauma and grief can impact children and adolescents over time and what social workers and law enforcement officers can do to support youth who have experienced trauma and bereavement.