Building Healthy Roots

Ideas to Improve School Settings for Black Female Teens

There are helpful trauma-informed policies and practices that school settings can use to better the academic, behavior, and social outcomes for Black Female Teens. Dr. Ken Hardy has shared that “In a trauma-informed movement, race and slavery are never mentioned. If it’s trauma-informed, it’s got to be race informed. What does this mean? It means that school districts must be willing to review their current trauma-informed practices and trainings. One question a school district can …

Healthy Family Connections

Improving Academic, Mental Health, and Social Outcomes for Black Adolescent Teens

Did you know there is still a gap in academic, mental health, and social outcomes for Black (Carribean and African) Adolescent teens? For decades, I have continuously reflected on the disparities and inequalities as an educator, educational leader, mental health advocate, and professor. Unfortunately, changes for equity for all students, regardless of race, across all systems has not greatly shifted. In the last semester of my studies to obtain my Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology, …

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Healthy Family Connections

Practical Communication Steps for Family Connection

This past Friday, the Clubhouse social media event that I was moderating called, Healthy Family Connections, included over 75 women discussing how to keep connection during hard conversations. Three key ideas were talked about that are consistent with research findings. It is important to hear and listen to your child, friend, or significant other’s feelings. When we say “You are fine” it is saying that what they are feeling does not matter. This can be …

Healthy Family Connections

Top 10 Ways to Communicate

Last week, I facilitated a Healthy Family Connections group on clubhouse that led us to discuss the Top 10 Ways to Communicate. Over 20 women came into the room to listen or speak about this topic during the hour. Many of the women requested the Top 10 Ways to Communicate Quick Sheet following this discussion. This blog will look at the 10 tips with some more communication tips. Model I Feel ___ when you ____ …

Healthy Family Connections

Healthy Family Connections: Communication

What do most of us want in life? A family. Family can be both bloodlines where we are born into the family. Also, a family can be a group of people who are not related but consider each other family due to the close bond they have with each other. Family are the people that we want to spend time with and celebrate life’s joys and also life’s pains. For example, we want to call …

Goal Setting Made Simple

Do you ever set goals that seem impossible to reach? Look no further. Goal setting is really goal-directed persistence. This means setting a goal into simple steps to meet it over time. 3 Keys to Settings Goals Goals must be achievable. For example, if you set a goal to write 5 hours a day and you are beginning at 0 minutes, the goal is way too high. If you are at 0 minutes, set the …

Primary Image for Traumaplicity by Amanda Helman

Do You Think Too Much?

Today the lyrics of “If I Only Had a Brain”, the infamous line by Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz popped into my head as I thought all about the brain and emotional regulation. The funny thing is, that’s exactly what happens when emotions are not regulating. So, we can relate to the Scarecrow without feeling any shame. Right? Right! Have you ever been in a conversation with someone and all of a sudden it’s …

Trauma

Community Healing to Support Black Female Teens

Final Blog about the Racial Trauma Impact on Academic Outcomes of Black Female Teens It takes families, friends, and whole communities to support and shift racial trauma narratives for healing to begin. French and colleagues share some solutions that will take time for the community to learn, seek understanding, and apply to support all components of mental health, physical health, and overall psychological wellbeing of Black Female teens. French suggests that education about racial trauma …

The Impact of Racial Trauma on Literacy Outcomes of Black Female Teenagers

There is a clear reading achievement gap for many learners. When looking at literacy outcomes, in the area of reading, more specifically there is a gap in literacy and post-school outcomes of Black adolescent females. Reading Instruction Matters Reading achievement difficulty usually happens in the area of word reading and pronouncing words quickly and accurately. Reading difficulties can happen in early elementary school when students are unsure of how to map letter sounds to letter …

Self-Care Sleep Tips

Want better sleep? Gain Five Simple Tips to Support A Great Night of Rest. A good night of sleep includes approximately 8-9 hours for adults. What happens when we do not sleep through the night? The REM cycle of our brain does not get the deep sleep necessary to release emotions, stress, and allow the body to fully relax the central nervous system. What are some simple tips to help with sleep? Cherry Juice- Organic …

How to Navigate Depression Through Difficult Times with Craig Miller

Dr. Amanda invited Craig Miller, a licensed counselor author, and speaker, discusses how to navigate through depression. He provides practical tips and resources. Description of the Interview with Craig Miller (Note: This is a verbatim transcript.) Timestamps of Important Topics During the Podcast 40 seconds: Craig: There is a healthy side of depression. You may be depressed if you have a blue day. Constant sadness and hopelessness is depression. It is about a blue life. …

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How to Build Reading Skills with Dr. Emily Sharp

This blog features an interview excerpt about building reading skills with Dr. Emily Sharp. The entire podcast and YouTube interview can be viewed below the interview excerpt below. Every week, Dr. Amanda invites guests to speak about a weekly theme. This week, Dr. Emily Sharp, provides many examples of how to build reading skills for children and youth. Emily is an expert in the fields of math and reading instruction. Description of the Episode with …

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Types of Connection and Communication

The conversation about connection and communication continues this week. Why is this conversation important? We will always continue to grow in listening and responding. Types of Communication There are two types of communication called verbal and non-verbal communication. Verbal communication and non-verbal communication can be broken down into simple steps. Verbal Communication What we say: The words that actually come out of our mouth. The words will impact everyone who hears the words. This is …