Toxic stress occurs in children when they experience prolonged episodes of physical or emotional abuse, neglect, caregiver substance abuse or mental illness or economic hardship without adult support.
This affects children in ways far more detrimental than typical stress. It makes children more likely to develop problems such as heart disease, stroke, asthma, obesity and diabetes later in life.
Several organizations received a $1.1 million Bethesda Inc. grant to team up with pediatric primary care practices to reduce toxic stress and assist with child development. Physician practices will work with parent coaches who will help these children and their families through adverse situations.
Here to talk about toxic stress in children and the Bethesda Inc. grant are President and CEO of Beech Acres Parenting Center, Jim Mason; President of Bethesda Inc., Jill Miller; and pediatrician at Pediatric Associates PSC, Dr. Christopher Bolling.