"The brain may be one of the most complex objects known to humankind, but science has suggested the digestive system is of equal importance, especially when it comes to our emotional health. Your gut is teeming with trillions of bacteria, making up what’s known as the microbiome. Collectively weighing up to two kilograms (heavier than the average brain), the microbiome plays a vital role in your health, breaking down food, supporting immunity and, perhaps surprisingly, affecting mood. Nutritionist Rebecca Pilkington believes keeping the microbiome balanced is the key to optimal physical and mental health. “If your gut is out of whack,” she says, “this can lead to inflammation, believed to be one of the biggest causes of depression.” Interesting read ... See more

The gut and brain are intrinsically linked, and studies show the connection could play a crucial role in your mental health.

‘Community violence is exposure to intentional acts of interpersonal violence committed in public areas by individuals who are not intimately related to the victim. Common types of community violence that affect youth include individual and group conflicts (e.g., bullying, fights among gangs and other groups, shootings in public areas such as schools and communities, civil wars in foreign countries or “war-like” conditions in US cities, spontaneous or terrorist attacks). Although people can anticipate some types of traumatic events, community violence can happen suddenly and without warning. Consequently, youth and families who live with community violence often have heightened fears that harm could come at any time and experience the world as unsafe and terrifying. In addition, although some types of trauma are accidental, community violence is an intentional attempt to hurt one or more people.’ Helpful information in this link. ... See more

Community violence is exposure to intentional acts of interpersonal violence committed in public areas by individuals who are not intimately related to the victim.

The policy implications are clear, says Jonathan Purtle, a mental health policy researcher and assistant professor at Drexel University's Dornsife School of Public Health. "We need to prevent these things from happening to children and support family and community so that people can be more resilient," he says. Policymakers can create coalitions around issues like mental health and trauma-informed approaches in contexts like education and healthcare, he said.’ Short read. ... See more

New research highlights the link between childhood trauma and mental illness and addiction in adulthood, leading some researchers to call it an issue as pressing as any infectious disease.

‘Vulnerable children are being “treated like cattle” and moved around care homes in England and Wales, with councils routinely inviting companies to compete for the contracts through an online bidding process, experts have said.
A Guardian investigation found evidence of local authorities putting the personal details of children in online adverts, including information about previous sexual abuse and gang involvement, while inviting bids from private companies for their care.’ Lot to be learned from this article! ... See more

Experts raise concerns over safety and privacy of young people in social care system in England and Wales

Very interesting read with research.

Significant harm investigations have more than doubled in England over a decade - but what do we know about the children most in need?

The responsibility for action
“In the course of raising awareness about ACEs, there is a risk of putting too much responsibility for action on individuals. This can draw our attention away from the hugely important social, economic and political factors that shape and influence the circumstances in which we live. We must consider the external factors which can place additional pressure and stress on parents which then affect children’s lives. Not having enough money to fully participate in society is central to this debate. So, how we frame the discourse on ACEs, both to the public and to a professional audience, is incredibly important. This is particularly true for ensuring that any stigma around ACEs is not made worse. This is where a public health focus, in its recognition of all the things in life that we need for good health and wellbeing, can come into its own. In taking such an approach, we can locate the problem where it really lies – not in the individual, but in their life circumstances.” ... See more

Katy Hetherington from NHS Health Scotland calls for action across all sectors to ensure children and families can thrive.

“United Nations rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights squeezed onto a school bench alongside a dozen children in one of Glasgow’s most deprived neighbourhoods and posed a question: “Who should help poor people?”
“The rich people,” Soroush, one of the children, shot back. “It’s unfair to have people earning billions of pounds and have other people living on benefits.”
It was perhaps the frankest answer Philip Alston received on a two-day visit to Scotland, where a million people live in relative poverty, including one in five children.” So poverty and ACE’s? ... See more

Philip Alston is on a tour of the UK and will report his findings into the causes and effects of poverty next week

This is what needs to be done and this is a lot of work, time and commitment. Trauma Awareness,Trauma informed and Trauma Informed Care and Practice are different things! Karen Treisman thanks.

“The general public has little understanding of the ramifications of trauma. The result of this lack of understanding goes beyond an empathy gap or the lack of appropriate response for victims of trauma. It can result in judgmental attitudes and even re-victimization of those who have survived trauma. For example, when people say they don’t understand why women in abusive relationships “choose” to stay, they must acknowledge that they are not coming from a place of being the trauma victim, and so their understanding about the reasons behind this may be limited.” ... See more

How we’re falling short in treating trauma victims and what we can do to fix it.

“Feeling unsafe is the defining experience of any child who has experienced complex trauma so it is not enough for us to know they are safe, they need to feel safe and we make them safe by building strong relationships with them, by listening to them, and responding appropriately to their needs,” she said.
“If a teacher in a classroom has a child who is having a meltdown, instead of telling them off or giving them a consequence, they should be aware that this child doesn't have the neurological development to understand or listen to these consequences. If they (teachers) are aware of CDT they will respond differently.” Good article/Short Read ... See more

Considerations for education and trauma-informed care

Great read with a twist! Short. “I always write my posts from personal experience, though I am rarely the protagonist. This story is especially personal and, honestly, it feels a bit risky to share, but it’s important, so I’m taking the plunge…”

I always write my posts from personal experience, though I am rarely the protagonist. This story is especially personal and, honestly, it feels a bit risky to share, but it’s important, so I’m taking the plunge… I had the perfect...

Lovely 😊

'When I was a new mom, there were plenty of books about how to physically care for a newborn: how to swaddle, how to change a diaper, and how to treat skin conditions. But there was next to nothing on how to care for a newborn’s psychological well-being. What’s important for infant mental health? Erik Erikson, the famed psychoanalyst of the sixties, recommended eye contact for the foundation of newborn trust—so I spent a lot of time looking at my newborn baby girl.
Since then, developmental scientists have learned a lot about what gets babies off to a good psychological beginning. And it’s deceptively simple: It’s about breath and heart; rhythm and timing; paying attention.'
Great Article with links. ... See more

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Essential Read/Short. 'A study released on October 8, 2013 confirms the importance of human touch to healthy brain development. Researchers in the UK found that loving touch, characterized by a slow caress or gentle stroking increases the brain's ability to construct a sense of body ownership and plays a big part in creating and sustaining a healthy sense of self.
Much like the instinct to lovingly pet an animal, gently touching another person is a reflexive gesture that happens automatically in healthy, loving relationships between a parent and a child, romantic partners, and affectionate close friends. We all know from first hand experience that being touched makes us feel safe and comfortable in our environment.' ... See more

Slow, caressing, “affective” touch helps develop your sense of self.

“For the young child their fear is often alleviated through connection with caring adults who provide safety and reassurance. As a child ages, their increasing maturity will mean they will need to find both courage and tears to face their fears. This growth can be cultivated with the help of adults they trust and can count on.” Helpful article with practical strategies. Short read.

Kids have worries – from monsters to natural disasters. They can appear at random or may be triggered by everyday events. Their increasing awareness of the world, who is in it, and being able to anticipate bad things happening, can all increase their alarm.

“For someone who has experienced trauma, the hospital or doctor’s office can be a scary place. Dr. Lincoln explains: “Patients often do not volunteer such information about prior experiences, because of guilt or shame. Medical professionals often ask about safety in a patient’s present relationships, but few ask about past experiences. A simple question such as, “Is there anything in your history that makes seeing a practitioner or having a physical examination difficult?” or, for those with a known history of sexual abuse, “Is there anything I can do to make your visit and exam easier?” can lead to more sensitive practices geared to developing a trusting relationship. Patients can advocate for themselves by explaining to physicians their anxiety about medical visits, why this is so, and what they have found helpful or harmful in prior healthcare encounters.” A Medical perspective on TIC some very scary research stats quoted with links. ... See more

Medical exams can be invasive. Because many people have experienced some form of trauma and may be uncomfortable with aspects of the exam, healthcare providers should approach care with consideration for what patients may have experienced.

Baby carrying 🤗 humans been doing it for 1000’s of years.

“Despite a half-dozen reminders, multiple timers going off, and several “heads up” warnings, when it’s time for her daughter to get off her iPad and come to the dinner table, Charlotte finds herself in the same exact power struggle she’s been through what feels like hundreds of times before.

As Charlotte coaxes, pleads, or raises her voice, she grows frustrated, annoyed. Shouldn’t we be past this already? Why are we still butting up against the same old thing?” Short helpful read! ... See more

How to find the opportunities for learning in difficult moments with our kids.

“Ms Coffey said some children were being sent as far as 100 miles from where they live "where they have no friends or family circles or local social workers", creating a "perfect storm where it is increasingly difficult to protect [them]". News item/short read.

Labour MP Ann Coffey says some children are being sent as far as 100 miles from where they live.

Indeed 🤗

'In my own work as a social work practitioner and professor of social work, I know that when I focus on technique or facts and forget to connect with those around me, I fail. When I trust myself, relax, and enjoy the company I keep, the job gets done. I learned this early in my career, when interviewing an elderly Hispanic couple. I practiced the technique of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with perfection, but alas, I forgot to attend to my audience, whose personal culture was heavily invested in the importance of human relationships. They left and never came back, and they taught me a lesson vital to helping future clients and teaching future students - attend to the relationship, stay in the present moment, and everything else will fall into place.'
Short Read! ... See more

The best social work students, practitioners, and teachers are not those who are encyclopedic in their knowledge or flawless in their technique, but those who show that each person they meet is the center of the universe at that moment.

"Working out how your boy receives love is important, but Maggie says there is always one surefire way to make a connection.
“Don't forget the power of the little tiny fart. From a mum to a son, a little quiet fart next to them can be a sign of bonding and love, especially when they're 14 and not wanting to talk to you. Trust me, it's in their language.”
Short Reed

Mums have a big role to play in raising healthy, happy boys, says Maggie Dent.

'Adolescence will work the same way, and the temptation to hold on tight to our teens and control the path that lies ahead of them will be bigger and more fierce than ever – but our response has to be different. As littles, they craved us. They’d seek us out, they’d want us close, and kissing them goodbye in front of their mates didn’t bother them a bit.
During adolescence, things start to change. We start to feel their separation from us and sometimes, we might miss them even when they’re beside us, and long for the way things used to be. We might wonder whether to hold on tighter or stand back. The answer is, we do both. We hold on to them but we give them the space they need to again, wobble, fall and rise.'
Good Read with hints and tips/Short. ... See more

As our adolescents navigate their way from childhood to adolescence, they will wobble, fall and rise many times. They’ve done this before – as tinies when they were discovering their walking legs. We stayed close, held them up, and let go when we needed to. We knew they wouldn’t learn to walk ...

"Lazy parenting is about intentionally providing your child with opportunities to develop a sense of self-efficacy, which in turn will bolster confidence, independence, and responsibility. It's about mindfully stepping back to allow your child to struggle on their own for a minute rather than rushing in and rescuing. It's about letting your child find out just how much they are capable of. And they actually are capable of a lot" interesting short read! ... See more

Turns out it's not lazy at all.

'My stomach knotted as I came home after a long day at work to find my fifteen-year-old son Nick playing “Fortnite.” Again.
Just yesterday, I’d spoken with him (read: snapped at him) about screen time. Today, an argument began. Again.
He felt angry. I felt frustrated. We both felt misunderstood.
Why do we zoom in on the things about our children that concern us more than the things that delight us? Why do we find it so hard to resist the urge to criticize, nag, and worry?'''
Helpful Article short read. ... See more

By focusing on our children's strengths, we can help them flourish—and stop being so critical and worried.

Invite to IAIA members. This fee event is open to members, to register click on the link. A very interesting and exciting program.

‘Bonding and Attachment’ Free Event, 16th November, Dublin 2, Irish Neonatal Health Alliance Posted at h in Events by Paul 0 Comments 0 Likes Share ‘With One in Ten babies born prematurely world wide’; Irish Neonatal Health Alliance are hosting an exciting morning event to celebrate World Pr...

'Before an emotion arises there is first a situation, which can be external: such as a spider creeping nearer, or internal: thinking that you are not good enough. This is then attended to – we focus on the situation – before we appraise it. Put simply, the situation is evaluated in terms of the meaning it holds for ourselves. This meaning then gives rise to an emotional response.
Psychologist and researcher James Gross, has described a set of five strategies that we all use to regulate our emotions and that may be used at different points in the emotion generation process'
Short Read. ... See more

Managing your feelings takes more than just turning that frown upside down.

Public event may be of interest to local members.

Have you considered a career in Social Care?

There are jobs available in this area within the community, residential and nursing homes with full training provided and flexible hours are available.

You are invited to the "Social Care Recruitment Events" for a cup of tea and speak with lots of local employers, the Northern Ireland Social Care Council for advice and South West College to discuss opportunities for career progression. You will also find out about "Universal Credit".

The Social Care Recruitment Events will be held in Omagh Leisure Complex on Wednesday 7 November and in Fermanagh Lakeland Forum on Thursday 8 November. You can drop-in anytime between 10am and 12.30pm.

For more information, visit http://bit.ly/2yFwGHm ... See more

‘Lonely and dispiriting’

“One social worker emphasised the poor conditions practitioners are currently experiencing, saying that “children’s social work can feel like a very lonely and dispiriting place to work. Unmanageable caseloads, burdensome and repetitive procedures, clumsy IT systems and inadequate support makes me consider my future all the time.

“I feel worse for the children though, their needs no longer come first. They experience multiple social workers because my colleagues across the region are unable to cope in this broken system. Something needs to change and the voice of the poor and those who are tasked with supporting them must be heard.”
Short read! ... See more

An increasing number of social workers are looking to leave their jobs as working conditions remain “chronically poor” within the sector, according to new research. The UK Social Workers: Working Conditions and Wellbeing research, co-commissioned by Social Workers Union (SWU) and the British Ass...

Excellent article on the children of undocumented migrants in the USA , of interest to all. ‘We humans do not run to a cave or a den when we are scared. When we are very young, we cry for our parents. Then we crawl to them. Then we run to them. It doesn’t matter if these are “good” parents or not—chances are, they are our best chance of surviving, especially since we have the most prolonged period of physical immaturity (and therefore helplessness) of all species. Being left alone is inherently dangerous, signaling the potential of even more danger to come. If the parent doesn’t come back, how can a young human find food? Seek shelter? Be protected? Of course, in modern times a modicum of care may be provided by the government—but thousands of years of human history course through our brains, screaming danger, danger, danger! Which means that our biology responds.’ ... See more

Why 40 researchers say attachment is a basic right and separation a clear wrong.