Ohio Lawmakers want to declare state of emergency on childhood trauma

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WYSX/WTTE) — Governors often declare a state of emergency after severe storms, but what about childhood trauma? Some lawmakers want the state to deal with that issue with the same urgency as the opioid crisis.

Two Democratic representatives unveiled a resolution urging the governor to declare a state of emergency. Advocates said trauma for children can occur from a divorce, a death, neighborhood violence or any number of tragedies.

“We’re having trauma babies the same way they had crack babies in the ’80s and nothing is being done about it," said Ronald Hummons, a mental health advocate from Cincinnati. "There’s nothing that’s even been addressed about it.”

Hummons staged a two-day hunger strike in December 2018 to start raising awareness of this issue.

“No one was talking about it so I decide, you know what, I’m going to do something just as radical as the issue," he said. "A 48-hour hunger strike.”

The resolution isn't binding but supporters said they had to start somewhere.

“It’s obvious that this is a national crisis and certainly in here in the State of Ohio, it is a state of emergency and we’re past the point of bringing awareness," said Rep. Terrence Upchurch (D - Cleveland). "The hour of action begins now.”

Supporters said the resolution would be the first step with the goal of later introducing a bill to provide resources like more screening in schools to better identify children who may be dealing with trauma.

“People have told me, ‘well this isn’t going to happen overnight’. Why not? This needs to happen right now," Hummons said. "This is an issue we’ve been dealing with personally for generations now. This is not new.”

The sponsors of the resolution said they've heard from at least one Republican who is interested in joining them. They're also trying to get a meeting with Gov. Mike DeWine to talk about this issue.