Mention the word trauma to Americans in the 21st century, and their thoughts are likely to turn to images of terrorism, war, natural disasters and a seemingly continual stream of school shootings. The horrific scenes at Newtown and Columbine still dominate public consciousness, particularly when our society discusses child trauma.
Tag: Trauma and Disaster
Trauma and Disaster
President Barack Obama opened his commencement speech at West Point last week by telling the graduating cadets they may become the first class to graduate and not be sent into combat in Iraq or Afghanistan since 9/11. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan – the longest-running in U.S. history – have
In my work with clients with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, it became clear to me early on that most have experienced trauma in their lives — trauma that they must resolve to achieve and maintain a healthy recovery. These traumas are sometimes categorized as little “t” or
The Boston Marathon’s 26.2 mile course can be a metaphor for what the city has been through over the past year: a long, winding stretch of ups and downs, heartbreak and triumph. Today, April 21, thousands of runners return to finish the race that was halted unexpectedly and tragically one
Today is the day to learn the true lesson from Newtown. Today occurs a couple of months after the inaugural year of mourning, after the memorial services and after the “dust has settled” for those who are not personally connected to Newtown and its resilient community. Today epitomizes the “Now
It has been a little more than one year since the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. The need for counseling and mental health services for those affected will only grow in year two, says Deb Del Vecchio-Scully, a trauma counseling specialist and executive director
Twelve years ago today, terrorists crashed two planes into the World Trade Center in New York City, another plane into the Pentagon and one more into a field in Pennsylvania, leading to nearly 3,000 deaths and a nation suddenly awakened to its own vulnerability. The anniversary of the 9/11 attacks
Five years ago, Matthew Carlson responded to the call of a house fire. It was a relatively routine part of his job. A certified firefighter and medical first responder, Carlson was no stranger to trauma, but the tragedy he witnessed that day would stand out from all the others. As
When running into burning buildings is part of your job description, it’s understandable that your profession might have a substantial impact on your emotional and mental well-being. But for reasons Jeff Dill can’t explain, inadequate focus has been placed on the mental health care of professional and volunteer firefighters. “In
Counselors working in an emergency or disaster setting must be aware of the implications of a shelter-in-place order to effectively assist individuals, families, emergency personnel, and communities.