Understanding Toxic Stress and Trauma

Although everyone experiences stress, there is a point in which prolonged exposure to adversity can cross into trauma. Certain experiences and conditions, such as interpersonal violence, racism, systemic oppression, and/or persistent community neglect, can lead to toxic stress and be experienced as traumatic. Each of these experiences can have severe and long-lasting negative effects on individuals and communities. This training breaks down the definition, prevalence, and impact of toxic stress and trauma.