Despite Bainbridge Island’s idyllic surroundings and quality schools, a “hidden crisis” that stems from childhood trauma is looming in some households, according to Kitsap Strong Project Director Kody Russell.

And it might explain why some kids are disruptive at school and home, or turn to drugs, alcohol, bullying and other aggressive behaviors.

The “crisis” lies in so-called Adverse Childhood Experiences, or ACEs, such as physical or mental abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction, divorce and parental incarceration and other stressors that kids encounter before age 18.

At a recent Bainbridge Island conference on ACEs — which has become one of the country’s most important public health initiatives — Russell told a group of educators, health professionals and community leaders that the cumulative effect of childhood traumatic experiences harm children’s developing brains so profoundly that the effects show up decades later in the form of chronic health issues, mental illness, behavioral problems and violence.

He cited a groundbreaking study performed by the Centers for Disease Control and Kaiser Permanente in the 1990s, which showed people who suffer adverse childhood experiences — often involving abuse or neglect — are at greater risk for health concerns later in life that range from drug abuse to poverty, physical and mental health issues, domestic violence and homelessness. The ACE study, the largest of its kind with more than 17,000 participants, found that ACEs are common, interrelated and have a powerful effect on health and wellbeing.

Subsequent research from Dr. Martin Teicher and his colleagues at the Harvard Center on the Developing Child have coined the term “toxic stress” to describe the profound impacts of ACEs (physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, neglect, witnessing domestic violence, etc.) on the development of our brains and bodies. Their research has also explored additional sources of “toxic stress,” experiences like bullying — especially during the middle school years, which can have similar neurological impacts as ACEs, and lead to increased anxiety, depression, anger-hostility, dissociation, and drug use. Other sources of toxic stress can include growing up in poverty, experiencing homelessness, social isolation or hatred and discrimination in the form of racism, sexism, homophobia, xenophobia.

ACEs and toxic stress are common and no one is immune to their effects. It could be a parent’s drug or alcohol abuse, feeling isolated with no support, or a death in the family. These experiences are common across race, income, education and geography. As the number, severity and duration of traumatic childhood experiences increase, so does the likelihood of developing health and social challenges throughout the lifetime.

Research from Washington state has shown: In Kitsap County, 37 percent of residents — 11 to 21 percent on Bainbridge Island — experience three or more types of traumatic events in their first 18 years of life.

About 6 to 7 percent of Bainbridge Islanders report experiencing six or more ACEs as a child, compared with 12 to 22 percent in the county. Each incremental increase in ACE scores — whether from 1 to 2 or from 7 to 8 — carries increased risk, Russell says.

Nearly 40 percent of eighth- and 10th-graders in Kitsap County report they do not have an adult they can turn to when feeling sad or hopeless.

The top challenges facing Bainbridge Island teens are not fully reflected in the Kitsap County statistics, Russell says, because the questionnaire does not address unique pressures and sources of toxic stress that impact local families.

“Local leaders have good reason to be concerned about the ‘culture of success’ and overemphasis on achievement and accomplishment for children, youth, and adults on Bainbridge,” Russell says.

The widespread focus on success can create a “pressure cooker” for children and their parents, especially because many judge themselves and each other on their accomplishments, says Marina Cofer-Wildsmith, executive director of Bainbridge Youth Services and the co-chair of the Bainbridge Island Healthy Youth Alliance.

Russell adds that this pressure to succeed and always appear put together, in control, could explain why Bainbridge Island residents are unlikely to reach out for help (43-47 percent) when they need it. (Bainbridge Islanders are less likely to reach out for support than their neighbors in Bremerton.)

Science tells us that the experiences we have in the early years of our life actually change brain architecture in lasting ways, Russell says. These brain changes have consequences that potentially last a lifetime and impact physical health and mental health, including the risk of addiction.

Russell, who is a Master Certified ACEs Trainer, says many of the characteristics and behaviors of toddlers, adolescents, and adults that we currently identify as “maladaptive” are actually an adaptive response to a traumatic experience. Over the years a child’s brain adapts in a predictable manner to traumatic events, and we develop the characteristics and traits (edgy, hypervigilant, emotionally detached, or quick to act) that give us the best chance of survival.

The good news is ACEs can be prevented. Positive experiences and teaching resilience can act as a healing counterbalance.

“We know that parenting is incredibly difficult and no one can do it alone,” Russell says. “Parents and children need a community to help build resiliency. People thrive when they live in a community where they feel safe, socially and emotionally supported, and hopeful about their future.”

Russell points out that a person’s ACEs score doesn’t necessarily determine their future, and that many people are doing well despite experiencing childhood trauma because they had at least one caring and competent adult in their life who helped them identify and develop their unique talents/skills, told them they had value, and were worthy of love.

He is helping to raise awareness of the lifelong impacts of childhood trauma and to support initiatives working to prevent or mitigate its effects. Kitsap Strong is a community initiative underwritten by the Kitsap Community Foundation, United Way of Kitsap County, the Suquamish Tribe, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Kitsap Public Health District. Last week’s ACE’s training program at IslandWood was sponsored by the Bainbridge Island Healthy Youth Alliance and its partner agencies: Bainbridge Youth Services and Raising Resilience.

“Luckily, our brains are malleable, so early adversity is not destiny,” says Cezanne Allen, director of community and youth engagement for Bainbridge’s Healthy Youth Alliance. “Knowing this, how can we help kids feel safe, cope with stress and build resilience to decrease the risk for addiction and other negative health outcomes?’’

Karolynn Flynn, program chair for Raising Resilience, says it’s crucial to offer education and tools for kids and adults to cope with adversity and to recover from mistakes and emotional ups and downs.

“Parents help children and themselves become more resilient by the perspectives they take and the choices they make,” she says.

Writer Karen West supports BYS with communications and events.