FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Source: Campaign for Trauma-Informed Policy and Practice
Contact: Laura Braden, laura@ctipp.org
Free Handbook Outlines a Public Health Approach to Build Population-Level Mental Wellness and Transformational Resilience for Climate Crisis
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, the International Transformational Resilience Coalition (ITRC), Campaign for Trauma-Informed Policy and Practice (CTIPP), and Trauma Informed Oregon released a free handbook to help guide how communities proactively build population-level mental wellness and transformational resilience for climate change-related toxic stresses, emergencies, disasters, and the harmful individual and collective traumas they can generate.
“When tragedy strikes, negative impacts can ripple throughout the entire community, so a public health approach ensures everyone has the resources, skills, and social supports necessary to prevent and heal traumas,” said Bob Doppelt, ITRC’s coordinator and author. “While post-disaster response is vital, we must expand our approach to proactively establish the enduring social collaboration in communities needed to help everyone prevent and heal mental health and psychosocial struggles. We must always remember that community is medicine.”
The handbook–“Creating Transformational Resilience Coordinating Coalitions for/by Community”–outlines the urgent need for a public health approach, provides actionable strategies, and explains how local leaders, civic groups, and organizations can build and support more resilient communities.
“While federal funding and support remain an important piece of the puzzle, the handbook underscores the transformative power of community-led solutions that are healing-centered and rooted in trauma-informed principles,” said Jesse Kohler, CTIPP’s executive director. “It’s a universal tool with adaptable strategies and practical steps that empower residents nationwide to navigate and overcome the diverse challenges posed by traumatic events, irrespective of their nature or circumstances.”
The research identified five foundation areas crucial for community initiatives to address collective trauma:
Organize robust social connections and support networks throughout the community.
Engage residents in a "just transition" towards healthy, equitable, low/zero emission, and climate-resilient conditions.
Build universal literacy about mental wellness and transformational resilience, ensuring everyone becomes trauma and resilience-informed.
Involve residents in activities that enhance mental wellness and resilience during adversities.
Establish ongoing group- and community-minded opportunities for residents to heal their traumas, such as healing circles.
Learn more and access the handbook at https://www.ctipp.org/post/guide-creating-transformational-resilience-coordinating-coalitions-for-by-community.
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The International Transformational Resilience Coalition (ITRC) is a network of mental health, human service, and other organizations committed to establishing programs and policies worldwide that use a public health approach to strengthen the capacity of all adults and youth for mental wellness and resilience for climate change-related toxic stresses and traumas as they also engage in solutions to the climate emergency.
The Campaign for Trauma-Informed Policy and Practice (CTIPP) is a national nonprofit committed to creating a trauma-informed society where individuals, families, and communities have the opportunities and support necessary to thrive. Through advocacy, activism, and education, CTIPP is building a movement integrating community-led, trauma-informed, prevention-oriented, resilience-focused, and healing-centered approaches across all sectors and generations.
Trauma Informed Oregon is a statewide collaborative aimed at preventing and ameliorating the impact of adverse experiences on children, adults, and families. Trauma Informed Oregon partners with providers, individuals with lived experience, and families to promote and sustain trauma-informed policies and practices across physical, mental, and behavioral health systems and disseminate promising strategies to support wellness and resilience.