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.
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.
Children live in families. Families live in communities. A community’s vibrancy is impacted by societal laws and cultural beliefs. This presentation will utilize 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 will be offered as a method of transformational healing for minoritized children and their families.
Parenting can be challenging at the best of times, let alone parenting children through war or refugee contexts. Global conflicts entail many changes for children and their families, with the potential for acute and longer-term impact on well-being and mental health. What can we do to help? Effective parenting can act as a protective shield against the difficulties that children face in challenging times.
This session with Dr. Christina Bethell presented new research and approaches to promote child and family well-being using a positive approach to health that fosters self, family and community-led healing of the trauma and adversity concentrated in many of our families and communities today.
Based on the evidenced-based curriculum of Mindful Self Compassion, the Mindful Schools curriculum, and principles of positive psychology; this 8-week experiential program for teens provides practices and tools to manage stress, increase feelings of happiness and well-being, and promote emotional resilience. In each weekly session, we will discuss concepts related to well-being and do a variety of practices, including mindfulness practices, intentional movement, and creative projects.
