Blog

Honestly, this was a difficult interview for me to conduct due to my trauma history and propensity for avoidance. Definitely a tough subject to discuss. Particularly when it came to the subject of "hope". I am a hope-filled, hope-inspired, hope-flinging soul. Listen in as Dean discusses his book The Impossible Conversation and upcoming book/workbook release this spring. My question to you is . . . #whatishope

Kyle McClure,* a community health worker (CHW) for Adult Resource Alliance, which contracts with Mountain-Pacific Quality Health in Billings, Montana, served for five years in the U.S. Army’s airborne division. While there, he learned to be patient, observant, and a good listener — critical skills for a CHW. His army background also helps him engage with military veterans, an often under-served and medically complex group. Montana has the second highest rate of veterans per capita in the...

This is a slightly abbreviated recording of a talk I gave in January 2019 in my children's school about the ACEs evidence, manifestations of relational and developmental trauma in the classroom, the importance of creating an environment of safety and emotional regulation so all children can learn and how the teacher child relationship can be a crucial buffer in a child's life, or lead to further relational rupture. https://soundcloud.com/jane-mulcahy/trauma-in-the-classroom

The Greater Newark Healthcare Coalition in partnership with ACEs Connection is excited to announce the launch of the Newark Trauma Informed Community Network, an online platform to bring together key partners and stakeholders across sectors to work collaboratively to make Newark a Trauma-Informed city by 2020. Please visit this page to learn more about local trauma-informed initiatives, professional development opportunities, and community resources. We invite you to join the movement to...

It's hard to empathize with someone who carries out a school shooting. The brutality of their crimes is unspeakable. Whether the shootings were at Columbine, at Sandy Hook, or in Parkland, they have traumatized students and communities across the U.S. Psychologist John Van Dreal understands that. He is the director of safety and risk management at Salem-Keizer Public Schools in Oregon, a state that has had its share of school shootings. In 2014, about 60 miles from Salem, where Van Dreal is...

As a result of recent changes to the Nova Scotia Children and Family Services Act, child protection workers' scope of practice has been increased, but no additional resources have been allocated to support an already overburdened system. We discuss what needs to happen, and what Nova Scotians can do to help!

From: https://www.scotsman.com/news/aces-light-bulb-moment-or-magic-bullet-for-social-ills-1-4870913 In the mid-1980s, doctors running a weight loss programme at a clinic in San Diego happened upon a startling discovery. Struggling to understand why successful slimmers were quitting, lead physician Dr Vincent Felitti began interviewing the leavers and found many had experienced sexual abuse in childhood. His findings led to a conclusion that would have major implications for public health –...

KPJR Films & PBS Stations will broadcast the award-winning documentary in honor of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School victims and to support the healing of the community. RESILIENCE: The Biology of Stress and the Science of Hope will air on public TV Stations throughout Florida on February 15 th at 9:00 pm ET . The broadcast will commemorate the victims and survivors of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting which happened in Parkland, FL one year ago. Following the...

A book attempts to counter a narrative of tragedy by examining the past. In the 2006 book “ Native American Fiction: A User’s Manual ,” by David Treuer, the novelist and academic describes an assignment that he gave to students in a Native American-fiction class. They read a short story by Sherman Alexie, in which a character is described shedding “Indian tears.” What, he asked his students, might “Indian tears” signify? The students responded with confidence, “as if unearthing whole...

Mary, like many people, had a difficult childhood due to being raised in a dysfunctional family that was fueled by alcohol abuse, anger and chronic tension between her parents. She coped by soothing herself with food. She went on to struggle with food, weight and hating her body for over 40 years reaching a top weight of 310 lbs. Fortunately after many decades of personal growth, she finally discovered the root cause of her problem…childhood trauma.

By A. Hosack, P. Berman, & K. Hecht We are homeless! I can never go home. What is happening? I am so scared, and Davy just cries! As the miles go by, Claire begins to calm down. Ms. Alexandra had stopped the car, once they were a mile away from the Caldwell’s home. She had turned to Claire, handing her a box of Kleenex, and told her she had a right to cry. Her parents had not treated her with the love and help she needed as a young mother. Claire could barely hear Ms. Alexandra because...

Mental health shouldn’t be a dirty word. Still damaging stigmas prevail allowing ignorance to end lives. Judging others or ourselves for our suffering is just plain harsh, not to mention counterproductive. When was the last time telling someone in the midst of a depression to “just get over it” worked? Try never! And using shame as a tactic to “encourage” someone to be what you think they should be only adds to a person’s suffering. Here are 5 enlightened ways to think about mental health: