Resilience is the key to hope and strength. Resilience is the ability to withstand adversity and move through complex life events to adapt, change, and grow. Learning about resilience has given me hope.
Continue readingTip of the Week: Know the Strengths of Youth
The mental health of girls is concerning. A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) looking at mental health and suicidal behaviors from 2011 to 2021 indicates that 13% of high school girls had attempted suicide (30% had seriously considered it). That jumped to more than 20% for LGBTQ+ teens (45% had seriously considered it) (Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary and Trends Report: 2011–2021).
Continue readingFour Key Skills Needed For Safety
So many emotions are associated with the first few days of school: excitement, hopefulness, joy, nervousness, anxiety, and fear. Humans can hold more than one emotion at a time, so you can feel all sorts of emotions as the school year begins.
Imagine what a child might feel in those first few days of school.
Continue reading7 Steps to Being a Trusted Adult
You can help a child or another adult heal trauma by being a trusted, calm, competent person through listening, holding space for emotions, and turning them towards the strengths in their lives. There is true power in a relationship between a trusted adult and a child. It can make all the difference in a child’s outcome in life.
Continue readingSix Books on My Summer Reading List
In my past posts, I have talked about how I take some time over the summer to dive into learning things I want to know about. Many times that includes books. I am a book lover; I buy books that look interesting to me, and then they sit on my shelf, collecting dust and looking like I am more intellectual than I really am. Many of these books are on subjects I want to deepen my understanding to include the information in my keynote speeches and training. This summer is the summer of deepening my knowledge of trauma-informed work.
Continue readingThree-Step Process to Build the Skill of Accepting a “No”
We never really get over the hurt of the word “No.” However, what if the word “No” can lead us to a “Yes”? What if the word isn’t rejection, disappointment, or fear of keeping up with the Jones? What if a “No” is really a “Yes” to something else?
Continue readingSeven Strategies to Navigate Stress
Simple strategies you can put into place that will shrink your stress level and boost your health at home and work.
Continue readingWhat I Have in Common with Goldie
Self-awareness and self-management is the first step in helping children thrive and know their gifts.
Continue readingImprove Youth Mental Health with Sources of Strength
The Source of Strength program is a best-practice youth mental health promotion and evidence-based suicide prevention program that uses adult advisors and peer leaders to create positive change in school communities.
Continue readingWhat are You Committed to in Your Life?
Commitment points toward values, practice, and connection in ways goals do not.
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