A TownHall Gathering on Childhood Trauma and Resilience
After a recent 60 Minutes segment on treating childhood trauma, I had the opportunity to attend a virtual screening of KPJR Films award-winning RESILIENCE: The Biology of Stress & The Science of Hope. This film chronicles a rising movement to build collective strength by using trauma informed practices to disrupt cycles of violence, addiction, and disease.Following the virtual screening, I participated in a live Twitter Townhall Q&A, along with Redford and other leading youth building experts.
Some highlights from the Twitter Townhall
Now that you’ve watched @DocResilience, what can you do today to build #resiliency? Resilience can be developed at all ages! We just need to take the time to practice strategies that work. There are “internal” and “external” factors to be aware of: The Heart of the Matter ~@jred5562 [Film Director, James Redford, who alongside Executive Producer Karen Pritzker, has been the force behind the film – a true visionary and pioneer for this and future generations.]Part of what I love so much about this science is that it is HOPEFUL! Parents and caregivers can be the best antidote to #ACEs. Learn more about how parents can help prevent or even reverse the impact of toxic stress in their children. ~@DrBurkeHarris [Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, founding CEO of the Center for Youth Wellness and author of The Deepest Well, is a leader in the movement to transform how we respond to early childhood adversity.]The U.S. spends $3 trillion on healthcare and 5 percent of that goes to prevention? What would we save if we spent 10 percent on preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences?#ACEsScience ~@ACEsConnection [Curator of online ACEs platforms and great resource for actions to take to get more involved in growing initiatives in your community.]Trauma-informed communities are inherently connected communities! Relationships are critical to not only buffering the effects of trauma but to preventing it in the first place. ~@PCAAmerica [Prevent Child Abuse America produced the Resilience Viewer’s Guide. Connect with your PCA State chapter if you need help organizing a film screening.]To understand ACEs is to understand our own self regulation and how it impacts our students when a dysregulated adult is interacting with a dysregulated student. It starts with us understanding that we have to become the calm adult that represents safety, trust, and connection. ~@SporLin [Jim Sporleder, former high school principal featured in Paper Tigers documentary for leading trauma-informed efforts that reduced out of school suspensions and increased graduation rates and other positive outcomes.]
Action Time: Simple Steps
- Read this blog and watch the referenced 60 Minutes and Resiliency Matters segments as in introduction to trauma informed care.
- Arrange to watch the RESILIENCE film, ideally with a screening in your community or organization, and use other KPJR Films resources
- Connect to resilience leaders highlighted above on Twitter for additional resources. If you are not on Twitter, go here to view the #ResilienceReset conversation.
The time you invest in raising your own awareness, learning new skills and tools, and educating others can strengthen, and even save, lives. Begin today!
