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People exercise for many reasons, and one of the major ones is for its mood-boosting benefits. But as someone who lives with co-occurring mental illnesses, I was skeptical as to whether these benefits would actually work for me. However, as I read more and more research about the therapeutic benefits of working out, I decided to give exercising on the regular a shot. Developing an exercise routine as a way to cope with my PTSD and eating disorder became a pivotal moment in my healing process...

My parents moved from Mississippi to the Midwest during the Great Migration north for a better life. Like many African-Americans, they were looking for employment and an opportunity to live the American Dream. Their journey would lead them to an upper duplex in the heart of Milwaukee’s central city on North 9th Street and West Keefe Avenue. The area is Milwaukee’s 53206 ZIP code. When my parents and I lived in 53206 during the early 1970s, Milwaukee was considered one of the best places in...

This story is part of a series about how schools, teachers and students are coping with the immigration crisis. HONEY GROVE, Texas — Abigail Rubio, 16, was eating lunch in the cafeteria of Honey Grove High School when she found out ICE was raiding the trailer factory where her dad worked. “Did y’all hear about what happened at Load Trail?” a friend asked. Abigail, or Abby as friends and family call her, went on social media. On Snapchat, a friend asked if she’d talked to her dad yet. The...

I remember the first time I filled out the ACEs questionnaire. I was horrified to discover that I was in the “four or more” category, with all kinds of negative health and mental health outcomes on my horizon.

First 5 LA and its partners are calling for a commitment within organizations and systems to help individuals, families and communities heal from trauma, strengthen their resiliency, and become trauma and resiliency informed. This work began in 2016 with a kick-off event to hear about promising practices underway in other counties and progressed to a workgroup of foundations, community-based organizations and Los Angeles County Departments that convened for nearly a year to provide...

After many years as a paramedic, Brian Randall often wondered: “What happened to that patient?” After rushing to the scene of an emergency, saving a patient’s life, and then transporting them to the hospital — he would never see them again. As an outgoing and curious individual, these encounters left Randall eager to know the underlying causes of the health crises he witnessed, and what interventions might truly influence a patient to change the habits influencing their health. READ THE FULL...

A California legislator is looking to amend the state’s college aid program for foster youth so it covers more students and loses fewer of them to academic problems. The Chafee Education and Training Voucher (ETV) is a federal-state match program that provides up to $5,000 per year to current or former foster youth to help with the costs of college. Introduced by State Sen. Jim Beall (D), Senate Bill 150 would shift the way ETV grant payments are distributed and set unique ground rules for...

W hen Arianna walked into a church basement in Austin to take a free pregnancy test, she thought of it as a lark, a way to kill time during the long, dull days of life as a street kid. About a month before, she had run away from the Austin Oaks mental health facility and was now living with her boyfriend in an alley near the Texas Capitol. The idea of being pregnant was laughable. “It was just laughs and giggles while we were waiting in line,” she said. Afterward, she remembers one of the...

At least four federal lawsuits have been filed against the Trump administration alleging an abuse of the system when it comes to minors seeking asylum and their family members. NPR ’s Mary Louise Kelly, co-host of All Things Considered , spoke to NPR ’s southwest national news correspondent, John Burnett, on Wednesday (January 23) about these lawsuits, particularly one filed by the Southern Poverty Law Center that alleges a corrupt alliance between the Office of Refugee Resettlement ( ORR )...

This Law and Justice special podcast was recorded live at the "Towards an ACE-Aware, trauma-responsive Ireland" event at Bewley's Cafe Theatre in Dublin on November 28th, 2018. The event, organised in conjunction with the Irish ACEs and Trauma-informed Forum, was kindly sponsored by Senator Lynn Ruane. It was an open discussion with survivors of childhood trauma. professionals working in the Early Years sector, education, health, addiction, criminal justice and psychotherapy about the...

The ACE study has demonstrated how impactful adverse childhood experiences are on an individual; impacting mental, emotional and social growth as well as negatively affecting physical health. In recent years professionals have turned their focus to the prevention of ACEs and one thing stands out. We must address the intergenerational transmission of these adverse experiences. But how do we do that? One of the answers lies in our parenting skills. Research has shown that early life...

If you are in the Hudson Valley, please join us for a screening of Wrestling Ghosts, an inspiring and powerful documentary about parenting, childhood trauma and healing. This movie premiered in LA and NY in the fall to standing ovations and screenings are being organized around the country. Kim and Matt Montleon, the subjects of the documentary, and the director, Ana Joanes, will be there for an hour-long discussion after the movie. Saturday Feb. 23rd @ 5:30pm FB Event and Tickets:...