In this lecture, learn trauma-informed mindfulness strategies that empower youth by reshaping trauma reactions. The 3 co-founders of the Holistic Life Foundation discuss how accessible mindfulness and yoga have proven benefits in reducing stress, enhancing feelings of self-worth and self-love, and creating a sense of resilience and optimism. They also explore how the brain processes stress, intrusive thoughts, and negative self-talk. The co-founders aim for participants of the lecture to come away with a deeper understanding of mindfulness and yoga for addressing trauma and supporting positive mental health in youth.
Focus Area: Child & Youth Well-Being & Resilience
From Trauma to Transformation: How Mindfulness Heals Communities
This workshop, led by trauma-experienced facilitators from The Holistic Life Foundation, delves into applying mindfulness and yoga for navigating tough situations. They share trauma-responsive methods for introducing mindfulness in schools and daily life, discussing their neurological impacts, stress management, and trauma healing. Participants will learn self-regulation techniques for addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) and adult stress, gaining tools to support themselves and others through mindfulness and yoga.
Addressing Post-Pandemic Trauma in Youth: How Mindfulness Practices Support Positive Mental Health Outcomes in Challenging Times
This lecture focuses on trauma-informed mindfulness strategies for schools, empowering youth by reshaping trauma reactions. It highlights accessible mindfulness and yoga’s proven benefits in reducing stress, enhancing resilience, and fostering positive mental health, crucial especially in the post-pandemic era.
BC Institute of Early Childhood Policy – A Life Course Perspective on the Promise of Public Preschool – Commentary
The Boston College Institute of Early Childhood Policy (BC IECP) is proud to disseminate this monograph commentary by faculty member Eric Dearing
Whole Child Development: Navigating Trauma, Building Resilience, Optimizing Healing and Well-Being
Dr. Denese Shervington has an intersectional career in public health and academic psychiatry. This presentation utilizes the Social Ecological Model to explore the impact of interpersonal, community, institutional, and societal factors on individual-level behaviors in minoritized children, especially those living in poverty and experiencing racial oppression. A Healing Justice framework which expands upon current evidence-based models of screening and treatment to include ancestral and indigenous practice-based evidence and wisdom is offered as a method of transformational healing for minoritized children and their families.
Whole Child Development: Navigating Trauma, Building Resilience, Optimizing Healing and Well Being: Part 2
In this workshop participants will learn about / review the complex and intersectional ways in which interpersonal, community, and historical traumas impact healthy attachment and psychosocial developmental trajectories for children, with a focus on incarcerated minoritized youth. The resultant neurobiological dysregulation and resultant increase in vulnerability to mental and physical health disorders will be explored. Participants will further explore how to apply principles of healing justice, inclusive of contemplative science and ancestral wisdom when working with youth.