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As a result of many years of research, clinical psychologists have a toolbox of evidence-based treatments they can use to address post-traumatic stress and its impact on children’s mental health. Post traumatic stress disorder encompasses the presence of mental health symptoms that emerge after experiencing any one of a number of traumatic events. Traditionally, racism is not considered to be one specific traumatic event that can result in traumatic stress. Even so, we do have a significant amount of evidence supporting the fact that experiencing repeated acts of racism can have a significant impact on one’s mental health. To address the traumatic stress that can impact kids following continued experiences of racism, the Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS) includes a specific trauma module during treatment.

In recent years, youth across America have been experiencing an increasing mental health crisis. Many attribute the rise in mental health challenges to the pandemic, and the resulting life changes that youth experienced socially and academically. While there is more widespread recognition about the need to support youth mental health and access barriers in the field, it is also important to acknowledge the disparities in access and quality of care across cultures, races, and ethnicities. It is true that all children and families struggle to access mental health care and these access barriers are greater for youth from marginalized backgrounds. Youth and families from marginalized backgrounds have even more hurdles to tackle, such as racism, stigma associated with seeking care, insurance and transportation challenges, and understandable mistrust in a system that wasn’t built for or by them.

This is a real interview with a parent whose child engaged with evidence-based outpatient services for selective mutism at the Center for Effective Therapy. They graduated from treatment a year ago and are now reflecting on the impact that the Baker Center had on their lives.

Kids with selective mutism are most often diagnosed between the ages of 3 and 8 years old. Identifying selective mutism and intervening at an early age provides the child with more opportunities for successful treatment and it can help them avoid a long and challenging future of potential academic, social, and emotional repercussions. Early intervention is key, and beginning interventions at the time that the symptoms appear has been shown to be the most effective timing for treatment success. Beginning treatment early can minimize the amount of time that the child is experiencing reinforcements and accommodations for their mutism.

Shyness at a young age is often considered developmentally appropriate and can be normal for many kids. However, there's a point when shyness can start to interfere with a child’s ability to engage with peers, teachers, and other fun, recreational activities. Selective mutism is an anxiety disorder that makes it difficult for a child to speak with others in specific settings. For instance, a child who cannot answer a question when called on by a teacher in school. Typically, kids with selective mutism struggle to speak in public settings but can speak comfortably at home and with family that they are familiar with. In the home setting, kids with selective mutism may feel more secure and relaxed, and their anxiety does not impact them as much.