June 2018

Reports of Kate Spade’s suicide and struggle with depression have transformed her from symbol of polished prep to a blunt reminder that suffering affects all types. Her death has inspired hundreds to tweet some version of the same message: Mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of. But deep in the comment threads, some also debated a more uncomfortable question: What do you do when a friend is depressed for such a long time that you’ve started to feel that that nothing you can do will make...

One of the big questions in urbanism is the degree to which culture shapes economic development. Traditionally, it was thought that culture follows from economic development: The more developed and affluent that a city becomes, the more money that it has to spend creating art galleries, museums, concert halls, and other cultural venues. But my own writing on the creative class and a large number of other studies argue that culture acts as a key factor in economic development by helping...

Adolescence arrives with a surge of emotional energy. It can empower youth to expand their capabilities, make new friends, depend less on parents, and live more passionately. The influence of parents remains important in a child’s life, and is necessary to support teens in making good choices. Adolescence is also a time when some teens look to experience alcohol or drugs (such as heroine, cocaine, marijuana, and prescription medicine, among other substances). All too often, tragic results...

The second annual 4CA Policymaker Education Day on May 22, brought together 75 community members across California to visit 81 legislators or their staff members and educate them about ACEs, trauma and resilience.

Last evening I posted a video of a June 5 congressional briefing that I attended on trauma and the opioid crisis with a plan to write a post about the event today. In the comfort of my living room, I played the beginning of the video, hoping to find a good screen shot to use with the article, but instead was surprisingly moved by the second listening of the words of U.S. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) about why the issue of trauma is so important her: She says it gives her hope.

Vinton County, Ohio was hit hard by the opioid epidemic. But now, as opioids are becoming harder to obtain, more and more users are turning to cheap methamphetamine. RACHEL MARTIN, HOST: We're going to spend some time now in a place called Vinton County, Ohio. There are only about 13,000 people. McArthur is the county seat. And the big talk of the town now is the new grocery store that recently opened because, up until a few months ago, it was easier to buy opioids here than it was to buy...

On a recent Tuesday in New York City’s Hunts Point neighborhood, Emily Lopez directs a visitor to the “selfie chair,” a large plastic throne in this new family center’s sunny atrium, perfect for impromptu Instagramming. The walls are painted a crisp white, and sunlight slants down from wide windows near the high ceilings, landing on black-and-white photographs of protests from this waterfront Bronx neighborhood’s rich history of activism. Colorful posters urge visitors to believe in...

California voters appeared to reject liberal challengers in three closely watched district attorney races on Tuesday, delivering a sharp defeat to a national network attempting to reshape the criminal justice system by electing left-leaning prosecutors. A consortium of wealthy liberal donors and activists, headlined by New York billionaire George Soros, contributed millions of dollars to battle candidates backed by money from law enforcement groups. Four races dominated. In Sacramento,...

I was so excited to see this link for Parenting with PTSD resource and then I saw the cost. I recognize the provider may have some scholarship option, I did not look into it, just sharing because as a mother who needs the services, I cannot find any of this quality that are affordable for my low/moderate income budget. Any suggestions or input is welcomed :-) http://www.joyellebrandt.com/mothering-support/

Cookie Monster and friends in San Diego Guadalupe Mendoza used to drop off her kids for pre-school, then make a quick and silent retreat. “I hid away,” says Mendoza, mother of five children aged 18 to 5; all but the oldest attended the Head Start/ECEAP (Early Childhood Education Assistance Program) at Walla Walla’s Blue Ridge Elementary School. “I didn’t allow myself to have a connection with the staff.” Three years ago, Mendoza began volunteering with the pre-school. Then she attended a...

I just got home from a beautiful retreat on trauma and compassion in Nashville, TN. It was very well organized by the hosts and a very diverse group of people attended. We heard from researchers in the field of trauma and compassion and then spent 2 days immersed in learning about and experiencing compassion through meditation, sharing, and journaling. I came away from this experience feeling very moved. I even found myself in tears more than once on the plane ride home as I reflected on the...

Trauma and racism are closely linked, but is that message coming through on social media? A new analysis from Berkeley Media Studies Group reveals gaps in conversations about these social justice issues and highlights opportunities for making the connection clear.