Healing in place: Game on to flip the COVID19 threat into a positive experience for our children

"... through the COVID-19 threat, we have a chance to turn this potential adverse childhood experience (ACE) into a positive childhood experience (PCE). I have convinced myself that, yes, as we shelter-in-place we have a chance to heal-in-place too. Our research shows that feeling safe in our families to talk about emotions and things that are hard and feeling supported during hard times is what most defines a positive childhood experience (PCE). And such experiences during difficulty — like the COVID-19 threat — have lasting positive effects into adulthood. Notice that I said "feeling safe and supported." This means it does not count if you think a child "should" feel this way. It only counts if they do.When it comes to reaping the benefits of PCEs, feelings are the currency that turn on our body’s and brain’s healing responses.

In our 2019 study, we found that adults reporting more PCEs had 72% lower odds of experiencing adult depression and/or poor mental health, and had over 350% greater odds of getting the social and  emotional support they need as an adult compared to those with fewer PCEs. And this was true even for adults who reported also having higher numbers of ACEs. The brand of PCEs we studied are not merry-go-rounds and horse rides in the park, though that can be a part of it. They are learning to trust life and others even amid uncertainty and difficulties. The most important PCEs are born in difficulty." ~ Christina Bethell for ACES Connection

#APMonth2020

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