Trauma, Micro-trauma, and Stress: Mental Health in 2020

10/29/20 • 40 min

Have you or your child been feeling anxious, sad, or stressed since the onset of the pandemic? If so, you aren’t alone. In fact, recent studies show that around a third of Americans report symptoms of anxiety or depression. Social isolation, the looming threat of COVID-19, lost jobs, remote education, and political unrest have taken an emotional toll on almost everyone. And, to compound matters, there is the additional stressor of not knowing how long our current situation will last! But could these ongoing disruptions to our daily lives result in lasting trauma or are we simply stressed out?
Join Exceptional Parenting Podcast host Stefanie Boucher and adolescent counselor Sal Caraviello for a conversation about stress and its unwelcome cousins, trauma and micro-trauma. In this episode, you’ll learn how trauma and chronic stress are related, find out how our children and teens are coping with the events of 2020, and get tips for helping your child persevere.
About Our Guest:
Salvatore Caraviello, M.Ed, MAPM, has been working with adolescents for more than 30 years. As a former teacher, administrator, coach, counselor, and youth minister, Sal has unique insights into the concerns of modern youth and has worked tirelessly to help thousands of children and families find success, balance, and happiness in all areas of their lives. In 2015, Sal was named Winchester, Massachusetts’ Citizen of the Year. He was the first non-resident to ever be selected.

Previous Episode

Should You Send Your Child Back to School During the Pandemic?

Are you struggling to decide whether your child should attend school in-person or remotely this fall? Join Exceptional Parenting Podcast host Stefanie Boucher and Eldercare Illuminated podcast host Lenore Tracey for an in-depth discussion about the considerations parents are facing for the 2020-21 school year. In this episode, we’ll provide:
•An overview of the most common learning and attendance models taking shape right now
•Practical suggestions about how to make the “best” decision for your family
•How to let go of stress or guilt, no matter which path you take
•Tips for how to make in-person learning safer for your child
About Our Guests:
Stefanie Boucher is Torchlight’s Senior Content Developer and host of the Exceptional Parenting Podcast. A writer and editor, she has spent nearly two decades producing multi-media content for children, parents, students and teachers while raising children in the midst of a fast-pace culture that won't stop moving. In her current role, she offers families practical strategies for modern parenting, including how to balance health and well-being with the allure and necessity of modern technology and life.
Lenore Tracey is the Eldercare Practice Leader at Torchlight. For more than a decade, Lenore has been consulting and writing about caregiving issues, care for the caregiver, and family dynamics. She has contributed her expertise to long-term care content and website development for several government projects making eldercare information accessible to caregivers and individuals planning for their own futures. Lenore brings to her work deep personal experience as both a long-distance and local caregiver for elderly loved ones with Alzheimer's and other complex medical issues. She is a graduate of Tufts University.
Outside Resources:
School Decision-Making Tool for Parents, Caregivers, and Guardians:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/community/schools-childcare/back-to-school-decision-checklist.pdf
Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports:
https://www.pbis.org/utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=
Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Q & A:
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic/ffcra-questions#39

Next Episode

Secrets to a Good Night's Sleep

Most people know that sleep is essential to good health. But what you might not know is that most Americans (about 60 to 80 percent of us, including our children and teens) aren’t getting nearly enough of it - not by a long shot. And that’s a big deal. Studies show that insufficient sleep can lead to poorer health outcomes and quality of life, an increased risk of accidents, diminished productivity, and even an inhibited ability to learn and solve problems.
Fortunately, whether you have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or simply stay up too late at night, most sleep problems are treatable. In this episode, join Exceptional Parenting Podcast host Stefanie Boucher and Eldercare Illuminated host Lenore Tracey as they discuss the beauty and importance of sleep - and the little known secrets to getting a good night’s rest - with clinical sleep educator and behavioral sleep therapist, Rick Clerici. You’ll find out how to use your body’s natural sleep pattern to maximize rest, how to begin preparing your body for sleep from the moment you wake up in the morning, and what to try if parenting or caregiving responsibilities are making sleep difficult.
About Our Guest:
Rick Clerici is a Clinical Sleep Educator and Behavioral Sleep Therapist. As the co-founder of Clear Mind Systems, Rick develops corporate sleep wellness programs, lectures in corporate and university settings nationwide, and serves as Sleep Educator for four major employee assistance programs in Massachusetts. As a personal sleep coach, he and his practice have helped thousands of individuals in all age groups get a better night’s sleep.
Learn more about Rick Clerici and his work by visiting http://www.clearmindsystems.net/.