12 Mar Why childhood trauma matters — and how early support can change outcomes
Children who experience ongoing stress and adversity across their early years are far more vulnerable to self-harm and suicidal thoughts as teenagers, new Australian research shows.
Experts say the findings highlight the importance of early, family-centred support — not blame.
When adversity adds up
A major Australian study led by researchers at UNSW Sydney followed more than 73,000 NSW children from before birth into adulthood to better understand how early experiences shape later well-being.
The findings are confronting but clear: children exposed to persistent, cumulative adversity across early and middle childhood faced the highest risk of suicidal ideation or self-harm during adolescence.
Lead author Dr Oliver Watkeys says it wasn’t one difficult experience that mattered most — it was how long adversity continued.
“The kids that had an accumulation of adverse childhood experiences throughout both early and middle childhood faced the greatest danger,” he says.
“These children were more than 10 times as likely as those in the low-adversity group to experience suicidal ideation or self-harm.”
What are adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)?
ACEs are stressful or traumatic experiences that can affect a child’s development and sense of safety. While abuse and neglect are well known, this study broadened the definition to include experiences that are often overlooked, such as:
- contact with police (as a victim, witness or person of interest)
- involvement with child protection services
- parental death
- poverty
- time spent in out-of-home care
The researchers found around 73% of adolescents with a record of self-harm or suicidal ideation had experienced high levels of adversity at at least one stage of childhood.
Police contact emerged as one of the strongest indicators of later risk — even when it didn’t involve criminal charges.
“Simply being in contact with police, for all different kinds of reasons, can be a source of distress,” Dr Watkeys says.
“It can be an ‘othering’ experience. It can make people lose hope.”
Why early support matters
By drawing on linked health, education, welfare and justice records, the study showed that warning signs are often spread across systems, long before a young person reaches a crisis point.
Co-author Professor Melissa Green says suicide risk cannot be understood as an individual mental health issue alone.
“It’s not just a mental health issue — it’s a social issue,” she says.
“The whole family is living in adversity, not just the child.”
Importantly, the research also offers hope. Children whose adversity was limited to one developmental period tended to have better outcomes, suggesting that timely support can change a child’s trajectory.
“While intervention at any stage is important, the earlier we can get in there the better,” Dr Watkeys says.
A takeaway for parents
This research is not about blame. Many adversities sit outside a family’s control. What it shows is that early, steady support for children and parents matters.
What helps:
- accepting help when life feels overwhelming
- seeking support through health, school or community services
- parenting and family-based programs that reduce stress and isolation
What to watch for:
- ongoing stress that doesn’t ease over time
- multiple challenges are stacking up without support
- children carrying adult-sized worries alone
Small interventions, offered early, can make a lasting difference.
Need support right now? (Australia)
If you or your child needs immediate support, help is available:
- Lifeline — 13 11 14 (24/7)
- Kids Helpline — 1800 55 1800 (ages 5–25, 24/7)
- Beyond Blue — 1300 22 4636
