Blog

Counterprotesters wave a trans Pride flag outside the Cork City Library. Photo: Screenshot To read more of John Russell's article, please click here. Counterprotesters formed a human shield to prevent far-right demonstrators from shutting down a library in Cork, Ireland, over the weekend. On Saturday, approximately 300 people gathered outside the Cork City Library in a show of solidarity with library staff and to counter the nearby “Ireland Says No” rally, where 100 far-right demonstrators...

Childhood experiences shape our lives in ways we may not fully realise. The scars from those early years often remain hidden, silently dictating how we navigate relationships, attachment styles, and our ability to experience true security and contentment. Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) leave a profound impact, yet many carry the coping mechanisms developed in survival mode into adulthood, never questioning their validity or realising they are now safe to let down their defenses.

Childhood Shadows: The Journey to Transformation and Healing In our journey through life, many of us face trials and tribulations that leave us scarred and struggling. Trauma can manifest in numerous ways, often impairing our ability to live a happy, fulfilled life. However, it’s crucial to remember that healing is always within reach. Understanding the Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences Beyond a shadow of a doubt, childhood experiences shape our adult lives. Unfortunately, Adverse...

Credit: MSUK To read MaryLou Costa's article, please click here. Recognizing that “m en will talk shoulder to shoulder, but not necessarily face to face,” Men’s Sheds give guys a space to tinker while they open up — and heal. “While you’re doing this, you’ve got to concentrate on what you’re doing. And it takes your mind off other issues, and for those couple of hours, you kind of relax. Once you start feeling better, it’s like dropping a pebble in the water, and those ripples come back out,...

PACEs Connection is excited to kick off our 2023 Creating Resilient Communities (CRC) Annual Accelerator Program.

Photo: Betsy Cornwell Author: To read Betsy Cornwell's article, click HERE . I'm originally from New Hampshire but have lived in Ireland since 2012. My 5-year-old son was born here, and I didn't pay anything for his birth. When I drop him off at school, I don't worry whether there's going to be a shooting. I grew up in New Hampshire, but I've spent most of my adult life in Ireland . I first came to County Galway in 2012, intending to stay for a few months — but after I met my, now ex,...

Abstract: Background Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have various deleterious effects on mental health but few studies have been conducted in Ireland. Objective The primary objective was to determine if there were significant differences in occurrences of ACEs in U.S. and Irish adults. We also sought to determine if there were unique associations between individual and multiple ACE events and mental health. Participants and setting Preexisting nationally representative adult samples...

There is something very powerful about being able to adapt well in the face of adversity, trauma, stress or pain. Resilience has been defined and used to describe a person who bounces back from intense difficult circumstances. More often than not, with resilience comes deep personal growth that prepares a person for what’s ahead. Resilience drives us to stand strong; it is a process of adapting & moving forward. Trauma can be debilitating. It is life altering. But there is another truth...

Please join us for our new series entitled: Trauma-Informed Criminal Justice. This monthly virtual Zoom series will feature conversations facilitated by Dr. Porter Jennings-McGarity, PhD/LCSW, PACEs Connection’s criminal justice consultant, with special guests to discuss the need for trauma-informed criminal justice system reform. Using a PACEs-science lens, this series will examine the relationship between trauma and the criminal justice system, what needs changing, and strategies being...

The Dibble Institute is pleased to present an introductory webinar by Rev. Dr. Bryant T. Marks Sr. of the National Training Institute on Race and Equity , which will provide foundational information on implicit bias. It will focus at the individual level and discuss how implicit bias affects everyone. Strategies to reduce or manage implicit bias will be discussed. Broadly speaking, group-based bias involves varying degrees of stereotyping (exaggerated beliefs about others), prejudice...

The pandemic has had a lasting effect on youth mental health. Moved by a desire to reduce youth’s toxic stress and increase their resilience, The Dibble Institute, in partnership with a team of students and alumni from ArtCenter College of Design and author Carolyn Curtis, PhD, is releasing Me & My Emotions —a new, free adaptation of our beloved Mind Matters Curriculum. The mobile-friendly Me & My Emotions website features engaging graphics and bite-sized lessons teens can access and...

Sign up, sign up! There are still places on my planned 8-week online adult ed course on "Childhood Trauma, Consequences and Essential Responses". It will kick off on Monday the 4th of October at 19:00 Irish time (if ten people sign up!). ALL are welcome. I'd especially be delighted if some trauma survivors join, as well as curious parents, doctors, early years practitioners, teachers, social workers, police, lawyers, judges, addiction counsellors, receptionists - and everyone in between.