Biology of stress, science of hope: Community screening of ‘Resilience’

  • By Geoff Kirsch
  • Thursday, July 13, 2017 2:29pm
  • Neighbors

There are many useful ways to spend an hour (and even more self-help articles devoted to the subject). You can get a haircut, clean out your email inbox, bake a casserole, exercise, meditate, organize your closet or catch up on “thank you” cards (you know you’ve got some).

But what if one hour was all it took to make a substantial difference in the lives of your community’s children?

That’s the aim of the 60-minute documentary “Resilience: The Biology of Stress and the Science of Hope,” which focuses on the implications of toxic stress stemming from adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs.

It also inspired a team of local nonprofits — including the Alaska Children’s Trust, the Association for the Education of Young Children-Southeast Alaska (AEYC-SEA), the United Way, the Juneau Suicide Prevention Coalition, thread, Juneau Youth Services, the Zach Gordon Youth Center, Juneau School District, and ROCK Juneau (Raising our Children with Kindness) — to offer a free community screening of “Resilience” this past January at Centennial Hall. More than 300 people attended the presentation, followed by a café discussion.

“We all got together and decided everyone in Juneau needed to see this film,” said Joy Lyon, Executive Director of AEYC-SEA. “It’s all about how we internalize stress, and the profound impact of childhood on the rest of a person’s life.”

Directed and produced by James Redford (yes, Robert’s son), along with Karen Pritzker and co-producer Dana Schwartz, “Resilience” chronicles the birth of the ACEs movement, a new way of thinking among pediatricians, therapists, educators and communities, who use cutting-edge neuroscience to disrupt cycles of violence, addiction and disease.

Once upon a time (i.e. the 1980s) ACEs theory was considered controversial … That is, until long-term research findings revealed one of the most important public health discoveries in decades: extremely stressful experiences during childhood (e.g. abuse and neglect) can alter brain development, with lifelong implications for future health and behavior.

Today, toxic stress is widely understood to be a leading cause of everything from diabetes and cancer to substance abuse and depression, as well as homelessness, domestic violence, incarceration and even early death. Indeed, too much ongoing stress triggers a cocktail of hormones that can wreak havoc on children at the cellular level, placing them at greater risk for all manner of adult perils. And while the broader impacts of poverty worsen the potential, ACEs affect people of all socioeconomic levels.

“The child may not remember, but the body remembers,” Lyon said, echoing the documentary’s tagline.

Of course, “Resilience” isn’t all doom and gloom — in fact, it’s just the opposite. Through an intriguing blend of animated graphics, informative notes, expert interviews, miniature case studies and common-sense observations, Redford’s documentary entertains, informs and, most importantly, never passes judgment. Rather, it emits positive energy and artistic optimism. The researchers, practitioners and subjects profiled in “Resilience” prove that once we understand a problem we can work toward preventing it; improved societal and medical practices can greatly lessen toxic stress both in our homes and in our communities.

“It’s so important to see and hear these strategies in action,” said Lyon. “I think everyone walks away from this documentary with a better understanding of their kids, their neighbors, their co-workers and people in general.”

In addition to the Centennial Hall event, “Resilience” has been shown on seven other occasions this past year, to more than 1,000 people. Another large public screening and conversation is also planned for the fall. Additionally, groups can “rent” the film from ROCK Juneau and host their own viewings and discussions.

“This film truly demonstrates the importance of supporting young children, parents of young children and people who work with young children,” said Lyon, who sees part of the solution in high quality childcare and pre-kindergarten education.

“Many organizations are already actively engaged in this,” she continued, “but we can always ramp up our efforts.”

Here, in addition to funding through the Community Impact Grant program, the United Way of Southeast Alaska offers a unique ability to bring many disparate public service actors, agencies and nonprofits under the same umbrella.

“In terms of collective impact, the United Way really facilitates our ability to effect positive change on a long term, community-wide scale,” said Lyon.

“Working together is the key to empowering individuals and communities to improve the health and wellbeing of this and future generations.”

“Biology of Stress, Science of Hope: Community Screening of ‘Resilience’” appears courtesy of United Way of Southeast Alaska as part of a project profiling the achievements of its Community Impact Grant Recipients. To learn more about “Living United,” the United Way of Southeast Alaska or any of its partner agencies visit www.unitedwayseak.org.

 


 

• Geoff Kirsch wrote this on behalf of United Way of Southeast Alaska as part of a project profiling the achievements of its Community Impact Grant Recipients. To learn more about, donate to or volunteer with the Zack Gordon Youth Center, visit http://www.juneau.org/parkrec/youthcenter. To learn more about “Living United,” the United Way of Southeast Alaska or any of its partner agencies visit www.unitedwayseak.org.

 


 

More in Neighbors

“Princess Sophia” stranded on Vanderbilt Reef, Oct. 24, 1918. (Alaska State Library Historical Collection, ASL-P87-1700)
Living and Growing: The storms of the Fall

Psalm 19 1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the… Continue reading

Sheet pan tomato soup garnished and served. (Photo by Patty Schied)
Cooking For Pleasure: Sheet pan tomato soup

Whenever I get my hair done at Salon Cedar, owner Brendan Sullivan… Continue reading

(Image by the New Jersey Division of Elections)
Gimme A Smile: Halloween/Election Day merger

We’ve got a couple of important holidays coming up: Halloween and Election… Continue reading

Brent Merten is the pastor of Christ Lutheran Church in Juneau. (Courtesy photo)
Living and Growing: The eye of the needle

One day, a rich young man approached Jesus, asking him what he… Continue reading

Jennifer Moses is a student rabbi at Congregation Sukkat Shalom. (Photo provided by Jennifer Moses)
Living and Growing: Joy after sorrow during celebration of Sukkot

As you read this column Jews around the world are preparing to… Continue reading

Cookie jars in the shape of a house and a mouse are among the more than 100 vintage jars being being sold as a benefit on Saturday, Oct. 26, at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. (Photos by Bill Andrews)
Neighbors events, announcements and awards for the week of Oct. 20

More than 100 vintage cookie jars on sale during Oct. 26 benefit… Continue reading

Nine-hour pork roast ready for serving. (Photo by Patty Schied)
Cooking for Pleasure: Nine-hour pork roast with crackling

For a few months now I have been craving an old-fashioned pork… Continue reading

Laura Rorem. (Courtesy photo)
Living and Growing: The power of real hope

Highly compatible, Larry and my strength was in our ability to merge… Continue reading

(U.S. Forest Service photo)
Living and Growing: Common ground. Common kindness.

I write this piece from the perspective of one who believes in… Continue reading

Twin rainbows are seen from the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Wednesday. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)
Neighbors briefs

Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center shifts to winter hours The Mendenhall Glacier Visitor… Continue reading

A clean home is a cozy home. (Photo by Peggy McKee Barnhill)
Gimme A Smile: Procrasti-cleaning anyone?

I just wiped off the tops of my washer and dryer, and… Continue reading