The Gift of Resiliency: Protecting a Growing Brain

by Michelle | Jan 3, 2019 | Being Well

The Gift of Resiliency: Protecting a Growing Brain

By DeAnna Pearl, M.A.T, B.S., Certified Prevention Specialist, SOS Tillamook – Prevention, Tillamook Family Counseling Center

What does it take to build resiliency in ourselves?   What is resiliency?  The definition is the ability to overcome challenges of all kinds–trauma, tragedy, personal crises, plain ole life problems–and bounce back stronger, wiser, and more personally powerful.

It’s important because this is what we need to do when faced with life’s inevitable difficulties. AND it’s important because there is a growing social science research showing that you can bounce back, even from a lifetime of “risk factors” or very painful trauma or tragedy, and how you help those you care about bounce back.

However, it takes clear steps to create a safe and healthy community.  There is a reason for age restrictions for legal use of alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, gambling, etc. The brain has not fully developed its regulatory system (frontal lobe) until the average age of 23.  The resiliency factors that a community can provide greatly impact the access and exposure to risk factors during the most formable brain growing years, ages 0-24.  The use of drugs and alcohol at an early age can hardwire the brain and can lead to abuse and addiction.

The simple act of reducing the normalization of use, abuse and addiction is a protective factor.  Example, not providing scratch-it tickets in Christmas stockings reduces the potential brain pathways that can lead to highs and lows of gambling.  Disallowing the casual use of alcohol under adult “supervision.”  The brain makes connections with all of these experiences which can actually hard-wire it for future use, abuse and addiction.

Until the average age of 23, the brain is especially focused on seeking fun and easy entertainment. It first routes decision making through the (1) emotion center (amygdala) resulting in fight, flight, freeze or “freak out” responses.  The dopamine, “feel good” chemical, quickly rewards the (2) pleasure center (nucleus accumbens) which then sends a signal to the (3) frontal lobe (where decisions and judgments are made) causing a reaction. Note: This is the last part of the brain to fully mature and does not have full facility to reason consequences or control impulses.

Continuous exposure to quick fixes such as gambling, drugs, alcohol, marijuana, opioids, sex and violence, means greater potential to be hard wired for external stimuli thus causing the potential cycle of addiction.

Can individuals learn to be more resilient, or are some just born with the ability to bounce back from adversity? Both!  Research suggests that human beings are born with an innate self-righting ability, which can be helped or hindered. The findings are fueling a major shift in thinking about human development.  Instead of obsessing about problems and weaknesses (splat factor) we are beginning to recognize “the power of the positive” (bounce factor).  Identifying and building individual and environmental strengths better support helping people overcome difficulties, achieve happiness, and attain life success.

Prevention is Intention: Building Safety Resiliency in Our Community

by Michelle | Dec 28, 2018 | Being Well

By DeAnna Pearl, M.A.T, B.S., Certified Prevention Specialist, SOS Tillamook – Prevention, Tillamook Family Counseling Center

Children represent a quarter of our population and informing them about safety and preparedness is an integral part of our community’s resiliency.  Youth are strong and resilient in the face of disasters, often adapting to stresses that weaken most adults, and yet they are incredibly vulnerable. Young children, in particular, are completely dependent upon many systems in their lives for their survival: their parents, their broader families and communities, the institutions and organizations that care for them and teach them, and officials and policy-makers who shape their environment.

With this in mind, SOS Tillamook and Garibaldi Elementary School teamed up to bring a specific focus for October’s Red Ribbon Week (RRW.)  RRW is a week of awareness for youth focusing on drug and alcohol prevention.  However, “We need to move beyond just saying ‘no,’” comments DeAnna Pearl, SOS Tillamook Program Manager.  “We need to help students learn about why we say ‘no’ and how it can protect one of the most valuable organs in our body, our brain.” By protecting our brains, we have a better chance of being safe and growing to our potential.

DeAnna visited GES 4/5^th grade classrooms to talk about safety, how it works, and why we have rules.  One question led to another. DeAnna, “How does walking on the sidewalk keep our brains safe?”  Reply, “So we don’t get hit by a car!”  DeAnna, “How do we keep our brains safe when we are sad? “Reply, we talk to a friend or adult.”  DeAnna, “How do we keep our brains safe on the beach?”  Reply, “Watch out for sneaker waves and don’t turn your back on the ocean.” DeAnna, “How do we keep brains safe from drugs or alcohol?” Reply, “Say no thanks, I got to feed the alligator in my back yard!”  One of the best responses over the three days: “I didn’t know that there is a reason for rules.”

With this theme in mind, SOS Tillamook invited all GES 4-5th grade students to submit a picture depicting what being safe looks like for entry into the 2019 SOS Tillamook Calendar. The theme of the calendar is, “Prevention is Intention: Preparedness and Safety.”  Of the artwork submissions, 20 were chosen as finalists.  On Nov.15^th at the GES Family Night, the final selections were displayed so attendees could vote on their favorite.  The winning artists receives a certificate and recognition.

Watch your mailbox for the 2019 “Prevention is Intention – Building Safety Resiliency in Our Community” SOS Tillamook calendar featuring drawings from Garibaldi Grade School students about how to be safe. Other features include safety and preparedness information and community resources.

To find more information on kids and family emergency preparedness go to https://www.ready.gov/kids.

For more information on prevention, contact DeAnna Pearl, (503) 815 5426 or DeAnnaP@tfcc.org.

Coping with Estrangement Over the Holidays

by Michelle | Dec 20, 2018 | Being Well

By Terra Marzano, LCSW, Rinehart Clinic

During the holidays, much of what we see in movies and on TV paints a picture of family togetherness.  Scenes of a mom welcoming her son into her house or a family lighting their Menorah together remind us that holidays are spent with family. While close relationships exist in some families, for many of us the winter season is one of emotional strain, where the year-round grief of family estrangement is even sharper.

Family estrangement refers to the loss of relationship between family members, often to the extent that there is little or no communication between those involved.  Estrangement can include emotional distance and/or physical distance.  It can happen slowly over a number of years, or following a specific event. Sometimes the distance is temporary, sometimes it lasts a lifetime.  Estrangement generally impacts all family members.

Though often difficult for all involved, emotional and physical distance can also be healthy. For those who have experienced family abuse, choosing to distance oneself can be a freeing and loving act.  As painful as it may be, estrangement can allow for healing and recovery in challenging family relationships and pave the way for improved wellbeing.

If you are estranged from family members this holiday season, there are a number of things to consider, including:

• You aren’t alone. It is a myth that estrangement is unusual. The fact is, the more we talk about estrangement the more we realize how common it is. As we share our experience of estrangement, we understand how widespread it is and begin feeling less alone.
• Serving others helps everyone. Sharing yourself through volunteering can bring new meaning to your holiday season. Food banks, animal shelters, care centers and meal sites are ways to give to your community and be connected to the people around you.
• Friends can be family, too. Good friends can play the role of family — sometimes even better than blood relatives. It’s valid for the people you’re closest to, the ones who do the behaviors of family, to be family. You can choose your friends and your family.
• Support is available. Many people who experience estrangement find relief in talking with a therapist or counselor, someone unrelated to your or your family who is invested in your wellness. Your primary care provider can be a good starting point for resources in your area.

Given how common we know family estrangement to be, if you happen to enjoy close relationships with family, please be gentle with those around you who may be having a more challenging holiday season. Now is an especially sensitive time of year, let’s all be good to one another as we bring the spirit of the season to life.