Macon Mental Health Matters releases second ACE’s report on childhood trauma

The findings aim to drive trauma-informed solutions across Macon-Bibb County.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Macon Mental Health Matters released its second Adverse Childhood Experiences’ Initiative Report Thursday afternoon, unveiling new data on how childhood trauma affects residents across Macon-Bibb County.

Mayor Lester Miller joined MMHM for the announcement, held inside Commission Chambers at Macon City Hall.

The report is part of MMHM’s Community-Wide ACEs Initiative, which collects data from local ZIP codes to better understand the long-term effects of childhood trauma, including abuse, neglect, and household instability.

The goal of the initiative is to develop trauma-informed responses that lead to healing and stronger support systems across the community.

“This work helps us understand what people have gone through and how we can support them moving forward,” said Minan Agrawan, a Macon Mental Health Matters intern and rising junior at Wesleyan College.

“We did research on childhood experiences and how the Macon-Bibb community is dealing with it and what are their scores,” she explained. “So one takeaway from this meeting would be just listening to stories and just being aware that people—even if people look like they are not going through something—everyone has something from the past, and we should just be kind to them and just give grace to people.”

MMHM says it will continue working with residents, organizations and partners to provide mental health education and resources, with a focus on long-term healing.

The event was also live-streamed on the Macon Mental Health Matters Facebook page.