Action for Child Trauma International (ACTI) empowers communities to treat PTSD in children.

We are small team of expert volunteers with a large international network, delivering in 17 countries across Africa, South America, the Middle East, and Asia on an annual budget of ~£35k. Working with NGOs and local professionals, we provide local people dealing first-hand with the impact of disaster, conflict and state failure with evidence-based tools and training. We are members of the Consortium for Street Children and the Action Trauma Network, and work in partnership with organisations including the International Rescue Committee and The Syrian American Medical Society.

About PTSD

PTSD is a disorder caused by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic, life-threatening event. It is normal to feel very anxious after a life-threatening incident but for most people, these feelings settle down after a few weeks or months. About 30% of people develop PTSD. They remain trapped in the terror of the event, experiencing the worst moments of their lives in  flashbacks and nightmares as if the events were still happening, again and again. The memory of the event has ‘stuck’ in the brain.

PTSD has been called a ‘life sentence’ by researchers due to its association with increased risk of chronic disease, accelerated aging, and premature mortality. Half of all global cases are persistent and only half of those with severe PTSD report receiving any treatment, with only a minority receiving speciality care.

Individuals with PTSD repeatedly re-experience traumatic events through nightmares and flashbacks. The need to avoid triggers for re-experiencing hinders daily life and prospects and creates a need for appropriate psychoeducation amongst groups responding to trauma. Trauma has intergenerational impacts and responding can produce secondary trauma for families, communities, and caregivers. This can prevent sufferers getting the support they need: trauma overwhelms not only the individual but systems of care. Without treatment most children will never get better and are at high risk of other serious mental illness. As memories of traumatic events are triggers for re-experiencing, failure to treat PTSD limits the effectiveness of treatment for co-morbid mental health issues. With treatment, they can go on to lead normal lives and experience increased resilience in the face of future traumatic events.