Format
Individual Presentation
First Presenter's Institution
Family Recovery of Southwest Georgia
Second Presenter's Institution
Family Recovery of Southwest Georgia
Third Presenter's Institution
na
Fourth Presenter's Institution
na
Fifth Presenter's Institution
na
Location
Session 4 (Sloane)
Strand #1
Mental & Physical Health
Relevance
This proposal relates to the HEALTH strand in that it focuses on providing support and mental health care to students and staff when a crisis occurs.
Brief Program Description
How do we talk to children and students about tragedy? How do we support families faced with a health crisis or unexpected death? This presentation will discuss the challenges of dealing with tragic circumstances and how we can best support children, students, and their families in a way to promote emotional health.
Summary
Unfortunately the world we live in is full of tragedy and crisis. While we cannot keep our children shielded and perfectly protected from the world, we can appropriately respond to them when there are difficult situations. A family member is suddenly killed in an accident, a classmate is diagnosed with cancer, a family’s home is burned to the ground; these situations often lead to questions and fears amongst both those directly involved as well as throughout the community.
Using attachment theory, systems thinking, and trauma theory, this presentation will discuss how to effectively manage unexpected crises. We will discuss the importance of self-awareness and self care, how to respond to those directly involved in a crisis, and how to effectively talk to children and students about difficult situations. We will demonstrate how to allow children to process any issues in a healthy way. Signs and symptoms of distress and trauma responses will be identified, as well as when to refer out to a professional.
Evidence
This presentation will show evidence from research in trauma, attachment, and systems. Trauma experts such as Bessel van der Kolk and Judith Herman, attachment research by Susan Johnson, and interpersonal neurobiology work by Daniel Siegel will all be utilized and discussed.
Biographical Sketch
Elizabeth Marston is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker living in Moultrie, Georgia. She completed her MSW at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has pursued advanced training in trauma and completed basic training for EMDR. In her private practice, she works with individuals of all ages, couples, and families. She specializes in working with clients diagnosed with personality disorders as well as complex trauma.
Sam Marion is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker from Moultrie, Georgia. He completed his MSW at the University of Georgia. He has advanced training in trauma, play therapy, and EMDR. Fluent in Spanish, Sam enjoys being able to provide services to clients throughout the community. He enjoys using sand tray, art, play, and other expressive therapies when working with people of varying ages, as well as couples and families, within his private practice setting.
Keyword Descriptors
Mental Health, social work, crisis response
Presentation Year
2020
Start Date
3-10-2020 8:30 AM
End Date
3-10-2020 9:45 AM
Recommended Citation
Marston, Elizabeth and Marion, Samuel, "Hard Conversations, Healthy Conversations: How to Respond When Tragedy Strikes" (2020). National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Conference. 64.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/nyar_savannah/2020/2020/64
Included in
Hard Conversations, Healthy Conversations: How to Respond When Tragedy Strikes
Session 4 (Sloane)
How do we talk to children and students about tragedy? How do we support families faced with a health crisis or unexpected death? This presentation will discuss the challenges of dealing with tragic circumstances and how we can best support children, students, and their families in a way to promote emotional health.
