Discussions about youth mental are gaining traction in Macon.

Clinical social worker Katie Crosby says that for teachers to help their students deal with the trauma the teachers have to understand how trauma affects them.

“Trauma affects kids’ brains in a way that they’re either in flight, fight or freeze.”

When kids experience this, it makes it hard for them to learn and thrive in school.

Crosby says that kids should be in what she calls “upstairs brain” so they can engage in learning and positive coping mechanisms.

To get kids into the “upstairs brain”, kids and parents alike need more access to trauma counseling.

“Counseling is a huge need. And just education about what trauma is and how it impacts children and how trauma relates to youth violence.”

At this year’s On The Table Macon, Crosby went to RiverEdge Behavioral Center where she attended a discussion on youth mental health.

“And so I’m very invested in wanting a bright future for our youth and wanting to know how we can make the biggest difference to impact our community.”

Crosby is thankful for On The Table and says that it’s good that the event promotes conversations and collaboration among people from diverse backgrounds.

“[because] I do think it takes all of us. It’s not one person or one organization working in their individual communities, but all of us partnering together to leverage our impact.”