Blog

The festive season is often a time of joy and celebration, but for many, it also brings heightened stress. The pressure to attend social gatherings, coupled with the financial demands of a capitalist system, can turn what should be a season of rest into one of overwhelming anxiety. As the holidays draw near, it's crucial to acknowledge and manage the stress that accompanies this time, ensuring we can truly enjoy the season without feeling burdened. Here is a foundational Strategy Manage...

The workplace is often a significant contributor to burnout, particularly when the environment is unhealthy. High workloads, unrealistic deadlines, and lack of support can create a pressure cooker scenario. Micromanagement, lack of recognition, and poor communication further erode mental well-being. Addressing these issues requires systemic changes and a commitment to fostering a supportive, inclusive, and balanced work environment. Look out for signs like: Chronic exhaustion, even after...

Ever heard about Trauma Informed Schools Kenya? Well, we have been around, almost 3 years now and counting. How has the been the progress? Almost 3 years ago I, the Founder/Director of Trauma Informed Schools Kenya featured on PACEs Champions Corner. Interviewed by Silvia Paul. https://www.pacesconnection.com/blog/paces-champion-rebeccah-ndung-u-launches-trauma-informed-schools-in-kenya TISK is a non profit making , non governmental organization registered and situated in Nairobi -Kenya.

Today, we focus on the vital topic of emotional health, a cornerstone of overall well-being. Emotional health is not just an abstract concept; it directly impacts how we live, work, and interact with others. Yet, despite experiencing emotions daily, many of us struggle to care for our emotional well-being properly. Nurturing our emotional health is essential for achieving balance and fulfillment in life. It requires intentionality, self-awareness, and active effort. By becoming more mindful...

In Kenya, many femicide cases go unreported in mainstream media because families, relatives, and friends often work together to conceal the true circumstances surrounding a woman's death. Intimate relationships should be safe havens for women, yet when partners, husbands, ex-lovers, or stalkers commit such violence, it creates an environment of fear instead. This fear impacts everyone. For those women who survive but endure toxic relationships, the situation becomes unbearable, leading some...

Former PACEs Connection employees Dana Brown (L) with Vincent Felitti, MD, co-author of the 1998 Adverse Childhood Experiences study, and Carey Sipp (R) in San Diego in January, 2024. The last few months have been quite challenging, but we pushed, persevered, and didn’t give up hope. The “we” is Carey Sipp and Dana Brown. We were long-time staff members of PACEs Connection determined to reinstate the website and the resources and information we provide to communities after the platform went...

It is disheartening to observe the casual usage of phrases like “That’s fatherless behavior” as insults on social media, further perpetuating stereotypes and stigmatizing individuals who have grown up without paternal guidance. By exploring the real impact of absent fathers, we hope to foster understanding, empathy, and support for those affected, while promoting a more inclusive and compassionate society. It’s been shown that fathers who are highly involved in their children’s lives can...

It is disheartening to observe the casual usage of phrases like “That’s fatherless behavior” as insults on social media, further perpetuating stereotypes and stigmatizing individuals who have grown up without paternal guidance. By exploring the real impact of absent fathers, we hope to foster understanding, empathy, and support for those affected, while promoting a more inclusive and compassionate society. It’s been shown that fathers who are highly involved in their children’s lives can...

The year 2024 has been marked by distressing reports of violence and its widespread impact. This issue affects individuals of all ages, from the youngest to the oldest. In Kenya, gender-based violence (GBV) has emerged as a pressing concern, touching every aspect of society—whether as direct victims, survivors, or those providing support. But what is GBV, and what factors contribute to its prevalence in our communities? Understanding Gender-Based Violence GBV refers to any actions that...

Emotionally low maintenance is often used as a defense mechanism to maintain peace during conflict. This behavior stems from a desire to avoid confrontation and to keep relationships and environments as calm as possible. Individuals hope to prevent disputes and create a facade of harmony by downplaying their own needs and emotions. This approach might seem effective in the short term. Still, it often leads to unaddressed issues and a buildup of unexpressed feelings that can strain...

Religious trauma is an under-recognized yet significant phenomenon. It can be caused by a variety of factors, such as religious abuse, dogmatic beliefs that are imposed upon individuals by institutions or leaders, ex-communication from a spiritual community, traumatic rituals, and spiritual bypassing. Forced religious conversions, especially when they involve violence or coercion to achieve them, can also lead to deep psychological distress. Individuals need to be aware of the potential for...

In the wake of Father’s Day, it's crucial to highlight the profound impact that absent fathers can have on a child’s life. While this topic resonates deeply during Father’s Day, it deserves our attention throughout the year. The absence of a father figure can significantly affect a child’s emotional, psychological, and social development, leading to long-lasting consequences. Witnessing phrases like “That’s fatherless behavior” used casually as insults on social media is disheartening. Such...