Three nursing leaders from across Santa Barbara County are uniting in honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month to raise awareness about the connection between childhood trauma and long-term health outcomes.
Melinda DeHoyos, chief nursing officer at Lompoc Valley Medical Center; Katie Gorndt, vice president/director of nursing at Cottage Hospital; and Candice Monge, chief nursing executive at Marian Regional Medical Center, have shared a unified message about the role early support plays in lifelong health.
“Modern research – and our daily work – continues to deepen our understanding of the connection between mental and physical health,” they said. “Childhood trauma, when left untreated, is linked to a higher likelihood of chronic illness, substance use, heart disease, and even shortened lifespan.”
Drawing from their frontline experience, the nurses emphasized the growing challenges families are facing today:
“This year, we have seen families under extraordinary stress due to housing instability, financial strain, and isolation,” they said. “We’ve seen children absorbing the weight of adult stress, showing up as sleep challenges, behavioral concerns, or weakened immune systems.
“We’ve also seen increased demand for mental health services at every age, while access becomes more difficult due to funding cuts. This is why CALM’s work matters deeply to us.”
CALM is a countywide mental health organization dedicated to preventing and treating childhood trauma to build resilient communities.
Amid government cuts that have reduced funding for prevention, CALM said it continues to expand its efforts in supporting families early, before stress escalates, and helping parents create safe, stable and nurturing environments for their children.
“Having a trusted organization in our county that focuses on trauma prevention and early intervention improves long-term health outcomes,” the three nurses said.
“CALM’s therapists, home visitors, and mental health specialists give families the tools they need so that children can thrive throughout their lives,” they said.
To learn more about CALM’s work, visit calm4kids.org, or call 805-965-2376.