The Hidden Cost of Untreated Trauma in Our Communities
“It touches my heart to think it would be two years I wouldn’t have been on this planet.”
These words shook me to my core. I was sitting in front of a teen girl I’ve had the honor to serve with trauma therapy for the last two years. We reflected on her journey through therapy. She shared how two years ago she was committed to ending her life, at 12 years old. “It touches my heart to think it would be two years I wouldn’t have been on this planet.” Both of us are in tears by now. It would have been two years this beautiful young woman would not have been here. Two years without her creativity, her humor, her artistry, her soul.
As we both cried I remembered deep in my bone marrow and every cell of my body the value of walking alongside of someone as the heal from deep hurt.
I am so proud of her. She has so much wisdom and friendship to offer. The world is better with her in it.
The hidden cost of untreated trauma is the youth who no longer get the opportunity to change the course of history.
Every life carries immeasurable worth because life was created by God. Walking with and supporting a teenager towards healing is one of the truest joys in life.