Library of Publications

Next Steps for Addressing Childhood Trauma: Becoming a Trauma-Informed and Responsive Commonwealth

June 26, 2020

Childhood Trauma Task Force

This report summarizes findings and recommendations from the first year of work of the Childhood Trauma Task Force, which was established by the Legislature in 2018 to explore ways to better serve youth who have experienced trauma and are involved with juvenile justice.

Protecting our Children’s Well-Being During Covid-19: Recommendations for Supporting Children and Families Who Have Experienced Trauma and Stress During the Pandemic

June 26, 2020

Childhood Trauma Task Force

This report provides findings and recommendations resulting from the Child Trauma Task Force's research on post-disaster trauma and analysis of the Commonwealth’s capacity to meet children’s mental health needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Estimated COVID-19 Behavioral Health Outcomes: Research in Perspective to Inform Action to Mitigate Morbidity and Mortality

June 18, 2020

Danna Mauch, Catia Sharp (MAMH)

In this policy brief, MAMH projects that the recession we have entered because of COVID-19 social distancing efforts will increase deaths from suicide and overdose between 12 and 60 percent in Massachusetts.

Inside the Adverse Childhood Experience Score: Strengths, Limitations, and Misapplications

April 24, 2020

Robert Anda, Laura Porter, and David Brown

The authors, including the co-author of the original Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) study, emphasize that the ACE questionnaire was designed to research—not screen—the relationship between childhood adversities and health and social outcomes.

Press Statement: Senate Bill 2519, An Act Addressing Barriers to Care for Mental Health

February 13, 2020

MAMH

Press statement by MAMH and the Children's Mental Health Campaign describing support for the Mental Health ABC Act: Addressing Barriers to Care (S.2519), comprehensive mental health legislation.

Toxic Stress, Behavioral Health, and the Next Major Era in Public Health

January 6, 2020

Andrea Blanch, David Shern, Sarah Steverman

A public health approach to reducing toxic stress will include strategies for preventing or reducing extreme stress and trauma, building resilience, and providing effective care and treatment.

Testimony to Support Reviewing the Use of Step Therapy and Provide Protections for Patients

October 8, 2019

MAMH

MAMH testimony submitted October 8, 2019 supports legislation that would create a commission to review the use of step therapy and "fail first" requirements by insurers and provide new patient protections.

The Effect of Minority Status and Social Context on the Development of Depression and Anxiety

September 30, 2019

Margarita Alegria, Patrick Shrout, et al

Puerto Rican teens growing up as minorities in the South Bronx are more likely to experience anxiety and depression than their peers growing up as a majority in Puerto Rico, even under similar conditions of poverty.

Massachusetts Healthy Aging Data Report: Highlights

August 14, 2019

UMass Boston Gerontology Institute and Tufts Health Plan Foundation

The Highlights Report presents a snapshot of findings from the Massachusetts Healthy Aging Data Report intended to generate dialogue and action.

Letter Re: Behavioral Health Priorities for the FY20 State Budget

July 26, 2019

MAMH

MAMH letter to Governor Charlie Baker and EOHHS Secretary Marylou Sudders on July 25, 2019 requesting support for budget priorities.

Understanding Child Trauma

July 21, 2019

National Child Traumatic Stress Institute

This infographic describes the prevalence, signs, and potential consequences of childhood trauma, as well as strategies to promote healthy coping and resilience.

Modifiable Resilience Factors to Childhood Adversity for Clinical Pediatric Practice

July 21, 2019

Flora Traub and Renée Boynton-Jarrett

This 2017 Pediatrics article documents evidence for 5 modifiable resilience factors to improve children's short- and long-term health outcomes.