Healing Horizons: Weekly News & Research - May 16, 2024
Welcome to our weekly news show, Healing Horizons, hosted by experts Bri Twombly and Alison Cebulla. Dive into the most recent updates on trauma-informed care practices, positive and adverse childhood experiences, and the critical concept of psychological safety. Each episode is designed to keep you informed on the latest research, trends, and best practices in these essential areas. Whether you're a healthcare professional, educator, or simply passionate about mental health, our show provides valuable insights and practical advice. Stay tuned for in-depth discussions and expert interviews that will enhance your understanding and application of trauma-informed care and psychological safety.
In our latest episode, we spotlight several significant initiatives and research findings. The Child Care Board in Barbados, in partnership with the Barbados Public Workers’ Cooperative Credit Union, is hosting a trauma-informed care workshop for school counselors to enhance their support for students. In Kitchener, the first Integrated Crisis Centre in Waterloo Region is set to open this summer, providing an alternative to hospital visits for those experiencing mental health or substance-use crises. Trillium Health Resources in North Carolina is launching the Healthy Opportunities Pilot program to address social determinants of health for high-risk Medicaid members. Additionally, University at Buffalo medical students have developed a course on trauma-informed care to better equip future surgeons.
Governor Newsom of California has proclaimed Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Awareness Day, highlighting the ongoing need for mental health services for those affected by ACEs. Research from Penn State confirms that child maltreatment often leads to behavior problems, rather than the other way around. A study reveals that nearly 75% of the nursing home workforce experiences high levels of stress, underscoring the urgent need for improved working conditions. Other topics covered include the implications of declining sexual activity on workplace dynamics, the importance of psychosocial safety in mining, and the necessity of proactive health and safety management in the legal profession.
Here are the news stories and research we featured:
May 10, 2024
The Child Care Board (CCB), in collaboration with the Barbados Public Workers’ Cooperative Credit Union Limited (BPWCCUL), will host a trauma-informed care workshop for all public primary and secondary school guidance counsellors and counsellors to aid them in their efforts with students.
Among the topics to be examined are: What is Trauma? Trauma and the Brain; Trauma, Triggers and Re-traumatization within the Schools; Experiencing Trauma in the Educational Setting; and Psychological Interventions for Trauma Management.
New integrated crisis centre set to open this summer in Kitchener
A new Integrated Crisis Centre (ICC) will open its doors this summer in Kitchener, acting as an alternative destination to hospitals for people with mental health or substance-use crises.
Thresholds Homes and Supports and Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington (CMHAWW) are working together to make it happen.
Officials said this would be Waterloo Region’s first integrated crisis centre.
Trillium to Launch Healthy Opportunities Pilot Program
Trillium Health Resources based in North Carolina will launch the Healthy Opportunities Pilot program in 15 of our counties on May 15, 2024. The pilot will cover a select set of non-medical, evidence-based services for high-risk health plan members. Services address housing, interpersonal safety, food, and transportation to improve the health and well-being of members. The Pilot program, launched by NCDHHS, will leverage findings to integrate interventions that improve health outcomes into the NC Medicaid program statewide. Pilot services are only available to certain health plan members.
Jacobs School medical students have developed a course to train their peers in trauma-informed care
University at Buffalo medical students working with community anti-violence groups in Buffalo have developed an elective course on “Trauma surgery and trauma-informed care.”
The purpose is to train medical students, particularly those interested in surgery, in trauma-informed care in Buffalo’s Level 1 Adult Trauma Center at the Erie County Medical Center (ECMC).
Governor Newsom Proclaims Adverse Childhood Experiences Awareness Day 5.11.24
May 15, 2024 on FOx26 Houston
Vargas doesn’t claim any innocence in this case. He says that night he was heavily intoxicated and planned on stealing from Sutton’s home.
"Do you remember the time in your mind when it went from robbery to stabbing someone?" Asked reporter Abigail Dye. "No, I just remember panicking," replied Vargas.
This brief outlines the prevalence of ACEs in California and that there are still many gaps in those with ACEs receiving mental health care
Child Behavior Problems and Maltreatment Exposure
May 2024, Pediatrics
Do abuse and neglect cause behavior problems among children or do behavior problems among children cause abuse and neglect? A new study from researchers in the Penn State College of Health and Human Development confirmed that the former happens much more often than the latter.
The researchers used data from the Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect (LONGSCAN), which were collected every two years from when children were four until they turned 18. Using seven waves of data from 1,354 children and their caregivers between the ages of four and 16, the researchers identified whether the children had a documented experience of maltreatment. Then, they simultaneously examined the relationship between maltreatment exposure and externalizing and internalizing behaviors.
Trauma Study Finds Almost 75% of Nursing Home Workforce Under Intermediate to High Levels of Stress
An alarming 73% of the nursing home workforce is facing “intermediate to high levels” of stress – the high risk group representing a rate that is double that of the general population at 34% compared to 17%, according to a new study.
Digital labor marketplace KARE, along with the National Association of Health Care Assistants (NAHCA), released the first of a three-part study focused on the impact of trauma on frontline senior and post-acute care staff, which included these findings.
The study was conducted in January and included insight from 1,142 workers in long-term care. 60% identified as Black or African American and 95.1% identified as women
Trigger warnings for excessive workloads not the answer
England
The idea of using trigger warnings if and where lawyers will be required to work voluminous hours. The focus should be on prevention rather than merely reaction. Effective management of health and safety concerns in the workplace necessitates proactive engagement from managers and supervisors. Ongoing consultation with employees and adherence to organisational policies and procedures for managing health and safety risks are paramount. Cultivating a workplace culture that prioritises psychological health involves monitoring workload levels and ensuring tasks align with employees’ skills and capabilities the legal profession must prioritise equitable treatment and cultivate a supportive environment that values the holistic wellbeing of all practitioners
How The Sex Recession Is Affecting Workplace Leadership, Team Members
This recession—a significant decline in sexual activity among adults, particularly young adults—carries implications far beyond the bedroom. It influences general well-being, social dynamics, and, yes, even workplace performance and leadership.
The surge of endorphins and other happiness-inducing hormones related to sexual activity, such as dopamine and oxytocin, play a pivotal role in shaping leadership mindsets. Leaders who experience higher levels of these hormones tend to demonstrate more empathy, patience and creativity in their roles. These emotional and psychological boosts can enhance decision-making and foster innovation and collaboration.
Towards better psychosocial safety in mining
For decades, the Australian mining sector has been under the scrutiny of regulators, industry experts, and the public due to the inherent physical hazards present in mining operations.
The demanding nature of the work, the use of heavy machinery, and the exposure to hazardous substances have rightfully commanded attention and efforts to ensure worker safety. However, as our understanding of workplace health and safety has evolved, so too has the recognition of the significance of psychosocial hazards and risks in the mining industry.
