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TheNeed,Methods,andBenefitsofPreparingPeopleWorldwidefortheTraumasandToxicStressesofClimateChange
WebinarPresentedbyITRCCoordinatorBobDoppeltEmail:[email protected]
Website:http://www.theresourceinnovationgroup.org/intl-tr-coalition/
TheAdversePsychological&Psycho-Social-SpiritualReactionstoClimate-EnhancedTraumas&ToxicStresses
TheClimateCrisisisUnlikeAnyModernSocietyHasFaced!EvenWithAggressiveEmissionsReductions:
• Theresultingpsychologicalandpsycho-social-spiritualmaladiesmightbeasbadasthephysicalimpactsandcouldstallorderailefforts tocutemissions.
• Itwillworsenfordecades andincreasinglyintermixfast-growingdisasterswithongoing andintense(toxic)stresses offeringless&lesstimeforrecovery.
• Itwillaggravateracism & othersystemicoppressions,disruptsocialsupportnetworks& othercriticalprotectivesystems,&magnifymanyhealthinequities
ButtheClimateCrisisAlsoOffersTheOpportunityforProfoundTransformation!
Itisaprimaltruththat,aspainfulasitcanbe,adversityisoftenourgreatestimpetusforlearning,growth,andtransformation.
ImaginetheBenefitsofaGlobalPreventativeTransformationalResilienceMovementThatHelps:
• Everyone learnhowtouseadversitiesastransformationalcatalysts tofindnewmeaning,direction andhope inwaysthatdramaticallyincreasepersonal,social,and ecologicalwellbeing.
• Alladults& youthbecome trauma-informed,buildonstrengths,andenhancepersonalandcollectiveprotectivefactorssotheycanthinkandactinhealthywayseveninunhealthyconditions.
• Allleaders learntopromotesocialnarratives, shiftculturalnorms and practices &maketheirgroupssafe,healthy,just, andequitableresilience-enhancingentities.
TraumaandToxicStressAreEpidemicToday
Tothesenowadd theacutedisasters andchronictoxicstressesgeneratedbyrisingglobaltemperatures
HighlevelsofACEs
Racism,sexism,andothersystemicoppressions
Highincomeinequality
Increasingspeedoflife
Fearofviolence
JobScarcity
PoliticalPolarization
HighPoverty
AverageGlobalSurfaceTemperaturesHaveAlreadyRisenBy1.8F(1C)AbovePre-IndustrialLevels—With2/3ofRiseSince1975
2014: second warmest on record 2015: warmest ever recorded2016: warmest ever recorded2017: ranked 2nd warmest (by NASA) and 3rd warmest (by NOAA)2018 and beyond: likely a 3.6 F (2C) temperature rise or more.
2017
RiverFlooding
Wind,Rain,andSnowStorms HeatWaves
Drought
SeaLevelRiseandStormSurges
Wildfires
Andmanyothersurprisedisasters…
• Ourfutureandourchildren’sfuture
• Lossofplace,community,cultureandnaturalenvironment
• Disruptionofclosefamilyandfriendsocialsupportnetworks
• Involuntarymigration
•Water,foodandotherresourceshortages
• Economicdisruptionsandjoblosses
• Newillnessesanddiseases
• Disaster-triggeredcrimeorviolence
• Intensifiedracism,sexism,andothersystemicoppressions
•Manyothersurprisingchronictoxicstresses
“Direct,acuteexperiencewithclimatechangecanproduce…suddenandseverementalhealthconsequences.”
(MentalHealthandOurChangingClimate,AmericanPsychologicalAssociation2017)
• Anxiety• Depression• PTSD• Highersuiciderates• More
Examples
• 30%to50%ofKatrinasurvivors sufferedfromPTSD,severedepression,anxiety,orhopelessness, andsuicideswentupsubstantially.
• 20%ofeastcoastresidentsafterSuperstorm Sandy reportedPTSD,33%reporteddepression,and46%reportedanxiety.
Effectsdependontheintensity,duration,andlevelofexposuretotheevent.
Researchshows20%-50% ofpeopleimpactedbyextremeweatherevents canexperiencesevere:
Effectsdependontheintensity,duration,andlevelofexposuretotheevent.
ElevatedlevelsofPTSD havebeenfoundamongpeopleimpactedbywildfires…
sometimeslastingseveralyears.(APA)
• Anxiety• Depression• PTSD• Highersuicides rates• Increasedaggressioninchildren
IntheUKafterthe2007summer floods:
• 75%ofthepeopledirectlyimpactedhadsevereanxiety
• 50%experienceddepression
• About25%suffered fromPTSD
Effectsdependontheintensity,duration,andlevelofexposuretotheevent.
Researchshowssimilarpsychologicaleffectsfromfloodingwithcuriousincreasedimpactsonchildren:
DisastersCanIncreaseViolence(CanadianRedCross)
Examples
• Studies inAustraliafound thatfamilydysfunction, depression,anxiety,hopelessnessandsuicideroseinmistofdrought.
• InUSdroughts ofthe1980s,malefarmersandranchersinWisconsin,Minnesota,NorthDakota,SouthDakota,andMontanademonstratedratesofsuicidetwicethenationalrate.
•Manystudieshavefound thatalcohol&drugabuseriseindroughts.
Effectsdependontheintensity,duration,andlevelofexposuretotheevent.
Researchshowsdroughts canproduceasimilar rangeofmentalhealthproblemsandincreasesubstanceabuse
• Substanceabuse• Domesticviolence• Assaults• Robberyandburglary• Highersuicidesrates• Interpersonalaggression• Violence
Examples
• Onestudylookedat30yearsofmonthlycrimeandweatherdatafor2997U.S.countiesandfound thatastemperatureswarmedsodidaggravatedassaults,simpleassaults,robberies, burglaries, larcenyandvehicletheft.
• ResearchinEuropealsolinkedhotterweathertohighercrimerates.
Effectsdependontheintensity,duration,andlevelofexposuretotheevent.
Researchshowshottertemperaturesalone tendtoincrease:
Examples
• Prolonged drought, insidious impactslikefoodshortages, risingsealevels,andthegraduallossofnaturalenvironmentsare:
• \
“causingsomeofthemostresoundingchronicpsychologicalconsequences.”
• Mentalhealthproblemscanalsobetriggered indirectlyfrom:“Watchingtheslowandseeminglyirrevocableimpactsofclimatechangeunfold,andworryingaboutthefutureforoneself,children,andlatergenerations.”
Researchshowsgrowinghopelessness andhelplessness duetothe“unrelentingday-by-daydespair”ofclimatechange
(APA)
• Indigenouscommunities,peopleofcolor,immigrants,lowincomepopulationsandotherfrontlinecommunitiesoftenexperienceclimateimpactsfirstandthehardest.
• Theimpactsareoftenaggravatedbyunjustandinequitablenorms,practices,andpoliciesthatexistbeforeimpacts,andareintensifiedduring,and afterwards.
Healthinequalitiesaresociallydetermined,avoidable,and unjustdifferencesinpeople’shealthacrossthepopulation andbetweenspecificgroups.
Theydisadvantagepeople andlimittheirchancetolivelonger,healthierlives.
SomeExamplesofHealthInequitiesInclude:
o Livinginlocationswheredisastersaremostlikelytooccuro Poorairorwaterqualityduetonearbypolluting industriesorsiteso Poorqualityhousing andtransportationaccesso Lackofemployment opportunities andsufficient incomeo Poorearlychildhood developmentandeducationo Lackofaccesstohealthyfoodso Lackofaccessto,orextremelycostly,healthcareserviceso Lackofsufficientprotection fromcrimeandviolenceo Lackofprotectionagainstinstitutionalized racismanddiscrimination
SlideProvidedbyEmilyYork,OregonHealthAuthority
Fearfulpeopleoftenretreatintoaself-protectivesurvivalmodethatleavesthemuninterested inexternalissueslikeemissioncuts
Leftunaddressed,theadversehumanreactionstoclimateimpacts
threatentostall orderail effortstominimizetheclimatecrisis!
WhatisTrauma?TheLossofSenseof“Self”
Traumaresultsfromsuddenandshocking—orpersistentoverwhelming--event(s)thatmakeusacutelyawareofourinherentvulnerabilityandmortality …
andthreatenourdeeplyheldandoftenunconsciousassumptionsthattheworldis
comprehensible,manageable,safe,andmeaningful,
whichunderminesoursenseofself.
IndividualTrauma
CollectiveTrauma
WorldwideClimateDisasters&ToxicStressesAreProducingBoth…
Bothcancausepeopletoharmthemselves,others,andthenaturalenvironment
• Self-numbingvialegalorillegalsubstance,food,tobaccoabuse• Seekingreliefviadiversionslikeoverworking• Seekingreliefbyinflictingourdistressonothersviaaggressionorviolence• Dissociation,denial,reenactment• Lessabilitytocope,problemsolve,andenhancewellbeing
• Physicalhealthproblems(e.g.cancer,heart)• Psycho-emotionproblems(e.g.anxiety,depression,PTSD)• Spiritualproblems(e.g.hopelessness)• Cognitiveproblems(e.g.memoryloss)• Behavioralproblems(aggressionorwithdrawal)• Lessabilitytocope,problemsolve,andenhancewellbeing
IfItContinues
(Trauma-Organized Orgs&Communities)
• Distrust,despair,meaninglessness• Lowempathyandcompassion•Moreauthoritarianismandextremism• ‘Wevs.Them’polarization• Actingout:aggression,violence,crime• Lessabilitytocope,problemsolve,andenhancewellbeing
Ifmanypeopleexperiencethesereactions
•PhysicalReaction:Increasedbloodpressure,pulserate,difficultbreathing,coldsweats,muscletension,aches&pains,sleepdisorders
•MentalReaction:Excessivefear,worry,guilt,losttrust,shatteredassumptionsandlostmeaning
Ifnotdischarged,whatbeganashelpfuladaptivereactionscanbecomeharmful
AWholeNewWayofThinkingIsNeededToRespondtoa3-70 ForMoreTempRise!
A WholeNewWayofThinkingisNeededtoRespondtoa2CTempRise
Disastermentalhealth programs—whilevital--willincreasinglybe:
• Overwhelmed (mostarealreadyfragile)
• StopGaps becausemostareshorttermandonlyseektostabilizepeopleduringandimmediatelyafterdisasters
• Inadequate becausetheydonothelppeoplecopewithpersistentandintensifying(toxic)climatestresses.
TheAdverseHumanReactionstoClimateImpacts
AWholeNewWayofThinkingIsNeededtoRespondtoa2CTempRise
TheAdverseHumanReactionstoClimateImpacts
Manydirectsocialserviceprograms—whilevital--willbeincreasinglyinadequatebecausetheyare:
• Siloed intomentalhealth,physicalhealth,lowincomeprograms
• Notdesigned toaddress2-5co-occurringpsychologicalandpsycho-social-spiritualproblemssimultaneously
• Notabletoassist themillionsofpeoplethatwillbeimpacted
AWholeNewWayofThinkingIsNeededtoRespondtoa2CTempRise
TheAdverseHumanReactionstoClimateImpacts
Traditionalapproachestoriskandvulnerabilityanalysis willbealsoincreasinglyinadequatebecausetheytendto...
• Focusonvisible easily quantifiable thingslikebuildingsandinfrastructureandignore thehuman dimensionsofresilience.
• Seektoeliminateweaknesses (whichcanseemendless)ratherthanbuildonstrengths& enhanceprotectivefactors.
(Twigg,2004,IFRC2012)
AWholeNewWayofThinkingIsNeededtoRespondtoa2CTempRise
Traditionalconceptsof“resilience”willalsobeinadequatebecause…
itwillbeimpossible to “bounceback”topre-crisisconditions….
Andmanypeopledon’twantthis!Traumatizedandstressedpeoplewanttobeableto
increase theirsenseofwellbeingabovepreviouslevels!
TheAdverseHumanReactionstoClimateImpacts
Rand’sCommunityResiliencePortfoliobyAnitaChandra,RANDCorp.
RANDCorp.Assessment
Resilience vs.Preparedness
AWholeNewWayofThinkingisNeededtoRespondtoa2CTempRise
TraditionalDisasterPreparednessProgramsHaveNotWorked
WellEnough
WhatToDo?
TwoWolvesParable
AndItWorks!• ACEsprevention• Smokingprevention• Minimumdrinkingagelaws• HIVinfections• Childhoodimmunizations• Motorcycleandbicyclehelmetlaws• Childseatandsafetybeltuse• ManyMoreExamples!
Adaptedfrom.AdverseCommunityExperiencesandResilience:AddressingandPreventingCommunityViolence,byRubenCantu,ThePreventionInstituteNov42016
Prevention BeforeHarmfulReactionsOccurIsKey!
Amajornationalandglobalpreventionmovementcan
BuildaCultureofTransformationalResilience!
Pre-Disaster
“HeroicPhase”(occursduringandrightafterimpact)
“Disillusionment”(cangeneratemental,
social,spiritual,economic,andphysicaldistressesthat
lastsmonthstoyears)
Warning(years/days/hours)
Impact
TriggerEventsandAnniversaryReactionsCan
CauseRegressionAdaptedfromHallock,D.(2010)Understandingthefourphasesofdisasterrecovery:NorthCarolinaCooperativeExtensionService(1999):Commonstages
ofdisasterrecovery;andStephenJosephWhatDoesn’tKillUs(2013)
ButOthersUseTheTraumaAsTransformationalCatalysttoIncreaseSenseofWellbeing!
PhasesCommonlySeeninDisasters
SomePeopleRemain
Dysregulated
“CommunityCohesion”(honeymoonphasecan
lastafewdaysto3-6months)
ManyEventually“BounceBack”
toPre-CrisisLevels(commonnotionofresilience)
TransformationalResilienceisEssential forClimateChange(Aversionofpost-traumaticgrowth)
Theabilitytoconstructivelycopewithclimateandotheradversitiesandusethemas
catalyststolearn,grow,andincreasepersonal,social,andecologicalwellbeing
substantiallyabovepre-crisislevels.
FromTransformationalResilience,B.Doppelt(GreenleafPublishing2016)
KeyElementsofHelpingIndividualsBuildTheirCapacityforTransformationalResilience
(FromtheResilientGrowthModelTM:B.Doppelt 2016)
PurposingSkills
• Learningandmeaningmaking• Values-basedactions• Harvestinghope
Presencing Skills
• Self-regulation• Socialsupports• Self-efficacy
Age,culturally,anddemographicallyappropriate:
SeeITRCLibraryonthewebsiteforresearchbasis ofthismodel.
Trauma-InformedSkills
• Basicsenseofneurobiologyoftrauma&toxicstress• Understandingsymptoms• Knowledgeofhowitaffectsbody,mind,behavior
Trauma-Informed& Resilience-SkilledMembers
EnablingCultureHealthySocialEnvironment
SeeITRCLibraryonthewebsiteforresearchbasis ofthismodel.
TheThreePillarsofTransformationalResilienceinOrganizationsandCommunities
(FromtheResilientGrowthModelTM:B.Doppelt 2016)
Again--ImaginetheBenefitsofaGlobalPreventativeTransformationalResilienceMovementThatHelps:
• Everyone learnhowtouseadversitiesastransformationalcatalysts tofindnewmeaning,direction andhope inwaysthatdramaticallyincreasepersonal,social,and ecologicalwellbeing.
• Alladultsand youthbecometrauma-informed,buildonstrengths andenhancepersonal andcollectiveprotectivefactors sotheycanthink&actinhealthywayseveninunhealthyconditions.
• Allleaders learntopromotesocialnarratives, shiftculturalnorms andpractices&maketheirgroupssafe,healthy,just, and equitableresilience-enhancingentities.
ExternalGHGReductions
AdaptingExternalPhysicalSystems
ClimateProgramsMustQuicklyExpandBeyondExternalPhysicalFocusandPutEquallyEmphasis onBuildingTransformationalResilience!
BuildingTransformationalResilience
TransformationalResilience
ACEs,Opioid,PublicHealth,GunViolence,SocialJusticeandOtherInitiativesWillAlsoBenefitByBuildingTransformationalResilience!
TransformationalResilience
Tran
sformationa
lRe
silience
Transformational
Resilience
HowCanYouBeInvolved?
1.GetEducated:Learnandcontinuallypracticethebasicprinciplesandskills.
2.ConnectWithLikeMinds:Reachouttopeopleinyourorganization,professionorcommunitywithsimilarintereststodiscussneed,methods,andbenefits.
3.OrganizeLocalPlanningTeam:Askothersinyourorganization,profession,orcommunitytojoinyoutodevelopvision,goalsandstrategiesforaTRinitiative.
4.EducateOthersUsingMultipleMeans:Yourteamcanoffertalks,webinars,brownbags,blogspostsetc.todevelopwidespreadunderstandingofneed,methods,andbenefits.
6.LaunchEducationandTrainingPrograms: OffereducationalworkshopsonyourownorinviteothertrainerstodosotobegintobuildwidespreadlevelsofTR.
7.JointheITRC:Meetlike-mindedpeople,getnewsupdates,shareevents.Signupat:http://www.theresourceinnovationgroup.org/intl-tr-coalition/
Building a Culture of Transformational Resilience Is Possible!
“Theideasofonegenerationbecometheinstinctsofthenext.”
— D.H. Lawrence
Adaptedfrom.AdverseCommunityExperiencesandResilience:AddressingandPreventingCommunityViolence,byRubenCantu,ThePreventionInstituteNov42016
Let’sLaunchaMovementtoMakeTheU.S.andAllOtherNations…
Trauma-InformedHumanResilience-EnhancingSocietiesfor
ClimateTraumas&ToxicStresses!
