Most of the children and youth have undergone adverse childhood experiences, which are traumatic events that occur during their childhood. Some examples include physical, psychological, emotional or sexual abuse, as well as neglect.

Often, the trauma experienced by our children and youth has not been adequately addressed, which gives rise to various challenges they encounter, including:

• Difficulties in controlling impulses
• Lower academic achievement
• Emotional instability
• Disruptive or destructive behaviour
• Concentration difficulties
• Poor sleep patterns

Adverse childhood experiences may result in the manifestation of trauma symptoms. Unresolved trauma can have far-reaching effects on individuals and families, extending across generations and leading to long-term medical, mental and social consequences.

The effects of trauma are not confined to our counselling rooms or residential home; they extend to our clients’ families, schools, workplaces, communities and society as a whole.

We embrace a trauma-informed approach through our two services, Melrose Home and Melrose Care, that permeates all levels of work, supported by research and the professional expertise of our team.

Trauma-informed care also means making a shift, as an organisation, from asking, “What is wrong with this person?” to “What has happened to this person?”