We’re excited. We recently became aware of the practice of earthing and its potential to improve our health and well-being. More research needs to be done, but it’s possible that earthing may be able to prevent, and even possibly cure, trauma.
When we walk barefoot on the Earth, we are in electrical contact with it. Electrons flow into our bodies to equalise the electrical potentials, thus automatically neutralising harmful free radicals and balancing other systems. But modern lifestyles insulate us from direct contact with the ground. We wear shoes all the time, mostly live in houses that isolate us electrically from the earth, sleep in wooden beds, and walk on insulating carpets. As a result, we become electrically unbalanced.
Earthing involves reconnecting ourselves to the Earth’s supply of electrons. There are several ways this can be done, but - apart from going barefoot - they all involve skin contact with a conducting pad or sheet of some kind. This is connected to the earth through a metal rod pushed into the ground, or via the earth circuit of the building’s wiring. A bed sheet with silver threads allows us to be earthed while asleep, and a pad under the desk can earth us through our bare feet while we work. More localised earthing to treat specific injuries or problems can be achieved with patches or bands attached to the body.
This sounds so simple, it’s hard to believe it can have any significant effect. But research to date and extensive experience shows that it does. Users report better sleep, less pain, reduced symptoms of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and MS, and less stress, tension and anxiety. Wounds heal faster, and top athletes recover more rapidly from the stress of competition or intense training.
In particular, earthing has been shown to normalise the daily cycle of the stress hormone cortisol. Chronic elevation of cortisol levels is one of the effects of trauma, raising the intriguing possibility that earthing might reduce trauma symptoms. If used on a regular basis, it might increase resilience to potentially traumatic experiences. If applied after such an event, it might reduce or prevent the development of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). As there is an association between trauma and some other mental disorders, including anxiety, depression, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Bipolar Disorder, we believe earthing might help sufferers of these conditions too. It’s certainly worth researching.
In our book, Hope for Humanity, we argue that almost everyone is affected by trauma to some extent. Our resulting behavioural and psychological patterns create powerful barriers to ending war, violence, poverty, social breakdown and environmental destruction. One of the greatest challenges facing us is how to heal so many people - clearly one-on-one therapy is not possible for more than a tiny fraction of humanity. So wouldn’t it be wonderful if something as simple as earthing could make a big difference?
Christine is finding that earthing herself as much as possible is helping her express her unique self. She is experimenting with a new trauma therapy that focuses on the interaction between the energy systems of the Earth and the human body. What better therapist to use for such a huge challenge than the Earth herself? She envisages a time when connection with the Earth will help us all to heal, and to find our own unique contributions to healing humanity. We are in the process of creating a website on which more information will be available shortly.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Childhood trauma, mental health and family support
Hope for the future lies in reducing the impact of trauma on society. Te best way to do that in the long term is to reduce the number of traumatised children. This can be done either by cutting their exposure to potentially traumatic experiences, or by increasing their resilience to cope with such events. Both are aided by good parenting in a stable, loving family environment. Sadly, many families are under pressure and children suffer from the stresses of poverty, neglect and maltreatment, or have parents with poor parenting skills or mental health problems. What can society do to help?
There are several issues here. Parenting skills are seldom taught in schools, and training is not required for this most important of jobs. The majority of us were brought up in much the same way that our parents were raised, and go on to raise our own children this way too, regardless of whether or not it is good. This ignorance is compounded by the stresses of modern life and increasing mental ill-health.
Modern urban societies have fragmented the extended family, and emphasise the privacy of the individual and nuclear family. This often leads to isolation, and resentment of official intervention, particularly where the authorities have the power to remove children to foster homes. As a result, government support programmes may be resisted and treated with suspicion. Such programmes also are frequently split amongst various problem areas such as financial assistance, housing, employment, and child welfare.
These issues and solutions to them are discussed further in our book Hope for Humanity. The most effective programmes integrate assistance with finance, housing, employment, mental and physical health, parenting, child welfare and other challenges. At best, a home visitor seeks to become a friend and mentor of the family, and draws upon resources of government, local charities and community organisations. To succeed, it is vital that this support person not become associated with regulatory and policing functions.
This approach is exemplified by the UK charity Family Action. Working with tens of thousands of disadvantaged and socially isolated children and families, they provide practical, emotional, financial and educational support. They tackle some of the most complex and difficult issues facing families, including domestic abuse, mental health, learning disabilities and severe financial hardship. By working with the whole family, they help them become safer, stronger and more optimistic about their future.
A particular focus of Family Action is parents with mental health problems as reflected in a recent blog by their head of policy and campaigns, Rhian Beynon. Children in such families are at increased risk of poverty and being taken into care, and are twice as likely as others to experience a psychiatric disorder. Thus, caring for children’s mental health starts with integrated support for their parents. Family Action works with parents in their homes to create a lifestyle that stabilises their condition. This often includes assistance to find suitable accommodation and claim social security benefits to which they are entitled. It may also include working with the parents to improve their relationship with their children, support their learning, and set boundaries and routines for them. Parents are encouraged to get involved in their communities, and to start training, find work, or become a volunteer.
Unfortunately, such services are often seen as too expensive, particularly in this era of savage cost-cutting by the UK government. This leaves the families struggling without support, at the mercy of an unsympathetic and inadequate welfare system. Family Action cites the cost of support services as £4000 (US$6500) per family. This may sound a lot, but what is the cost of the alternative - lifetime care for more people with mental health problems, and more violence, crime, addiction and other behavioural consequences of trauma?
There are several issues here. Parenting skills are seldom taught in schools, and training is not required for this most important of jobs. The majority of us were brought up in much the same way that our parents were raised, and go on to raise our own children this way too, regardless of whether or not it is good. This ignorance is compounded by the stresses of modern life and increasing mental ill-health.
Modern urban societies have fragmented the extended family, and emphasise the privacy of the individual and nuclear family. This often leads to isolation, and resentment of official intervention, particularly where the authorities have the power to remove children to foster homes. As a result, government support programmes may be resisted and treated with suspicion. Such programmes also are frequently split amongst various problem areas such as financial assistance, housing, employment, and child welfare.
These issues and solutions to them are discussed further in our book Hope for Humanity. The most effective programmes integrate assistance with finance, housing, employment, mental and physical health, parenting, child welfare and other challenges. At best, a home visitor seeks to become a friend and mentor of the family, and draws upon resources of government, local charities and community organisations. To succeed, it is vital that this support person not become associated with regulatory and policing functions.
This approach is exemplified by the UK charity Family Action. Working with tens of thousands of disadvantaged and socially isolated children and families, they provide practical, emotional, financial and educational support. They tackle some of the most complex and difficult issues facing families, including domestic abuse, mental health, learning disabilities and severe financial hardship. By working with the whole family, they help them become safer, stronger and more optimistic about their future.
A particular focus of Family Action is parents with mental health problems as reflected in a recent blog by their head of policy and campaigns, Rhian Beynon. Children in such families are at increased risk of poverty and being taken into care, and are twice as likely as others to experience a psychiatric disorder. Thus, caring for children’s mental health starts with integrated support for their parents. Family Action works with parents in their homes to create a lifestyle that stabilises their condition. This often includes assistance to find suitable accommodation and claim social security benefits to which they are entitled. It may also include working with the parents to improve their relationship with their children, support their learning, and set boundaries and routines for them. Parents are encouraged to get involved in their communities, and to start training, find work, or become a volunteer.
Unfortunately, such services are often seen as too expensive, particularly in this era of savage cost-cutting by the UK government. This leaves the families struggling without support, at the mercy of an unsympathetic and inadequate welfare system. Family Action cites the cost of support services as £4000 (US$6500) per family. This may sound a lot, but what is the cost of the alternative - lifetime care for more people with mental health problems, and more violence, crime, addiction and other behavioural consequences of trauma?
Friday, February 11, 2011
The Homies and the Popz
Here’s a truly delightful, heartwarming story of hope for humanity.
Compton is a city of 100,000 on the south side of Los Angeles. It’s one of the most dangerous places in the US - a world of gangsters, drive-by shootings, homelessness and street kids. And it’s also home to the Compton Cricket Club, aka the Homies and the Popz.
When founder Ted Hayes was first invited to play cricket, he asked “What’s cricket?” Film producer Katy Haber replied “It’s the same as baseball but instead of running around in circles, you run up and down.” Inspired by the experience, Ted Hayes formed a team of homeless men, training in alleyways with rubbish bins as stumps. Later, he took a recruiting drive to local schools and ran cricket workshops. So alien was the sport that one kid told his friends his brother was playing grasshopper!
That was 14 years ago. Now the Homies and the Popz brings together former gangsters, homeless men and street kids who see cricket as a model for a purposeful and law-abiding life. It’s the only all American-born cricket team in the world, playing in the Los Angeles amateur league and exhibition matches. They’ve toured England 3 times, and are currently on their first visit to Australia.
According to Hayes “The aim of playing cricket is to teach people how to respect themselves and respect authority so they stop killing each other.” And the Homies’ mission is to:
1. Curb the negative effects of gang activities amongst the youth of Compton.
2. Addressing homelessness in the inner city through the principles of ethics and cricket.
3. Encourage and promote civility, good and productive citizenship.
But Ted Hayes has even bigger ambitions. “We’d like to go to places of conflict and teach the idea through cricket that we can learn civility. We can disagree and compete to win, but let’s not kill each other. The world is big enough for us all to live in peace and have fun competing while making ourselves better human beings.”
Compton is a city of 100,000 on the south side of Los Angeles. It’s one of the most dangerous places in the US - a world of gangsters, drive-by shootings, homelessness and street kids. And it’s also home to the Compton Cricket Club, aka the Homies and the Popz.
When founder Ted Hayes was first invited to play cricket, he asked “What’s cricket?” Film producer Katy Haber replied “It’s the same as baseball but instead of running around in circles, you run up and down.” Inspired by the experience, Ted Hayes formed a team of homeless men, training in alleyways with rubbish bins as stumps. Later, he took a recruiting drive to local schools and ran cricket workshops. So alien was the sport that one kid told his friends his brother was playing grasshopper!
That was 14 years ago. Now the Homies and the Popz brings together former gangsters, homeless men and street kids who see cricket as a model for a purposeful and law-abiding life. It’s the only all American-born cricket team in the world, playing in the Los Angeles amateur league and exhibition matches. They’ve toured England 3 times, and are currently on their first visit to Australia.
According to Hayes “The aim of playing cricket is to teach people how to respect themselves and respect authority so they stop killing each other.” And the Homies’ mission is to:
1. Curb the negative effects of gang activities amongst the youth of Compton.
2. Addressing homelessness in the inner city through the principles of ethics and cricket.
3. Encourage and promote civility, good and productive citizenship.
But Ted Hayes has even bigger ambitions. “We’d like to go to places of conflict and teach the idea through cricket that we can learn civility. We can disagree and compete to win, but let’s not kill each other. The world is big enough for us all to live in peace and have fun competing while making ourselves better human beings.”
Monday, February 7, 2011
Hope for an end to female genital mutilation?
Female genital mutilation (FGM) involves the partial or total removal of the external genitalia, and partial stitching closed of the opening. Usually carried out by traditional practitioners without anaesthetic in unhygienic conditions, the pain in this most-sensitive part of the body is almost unimaginable.
About 3m women still suffer this horrific trauma in Africa every year, and there may be as many as 20,000 girls under 15 at risk in the UK, with more in other European countries. There are estimated to be 140m women who have endured this ritual. Many girls die from the procedure, and complications can leave the girl crippled. Childbirth is made difficult, thus traumatising the infant as well as the mother.
Most common in Africa, FGM is regarded as part of many traditional cultures. Despite being illegal in most countries, women continue to inflict it on their daughters because they will be marginalised if they do not. Further, as ‘uncut’ women their daughters would be unable to marry, and treated as unclean - unable even to cook, or pass a drink of water to someone.
But there are deeper historical reasons for the custom based in male domination. In many cultures, women’s sexuality is regarded as dangerous, as reflected in arranged marriages before puberty, isolation of women from men other than the husband, and wearing of the burka. FGM ensures that the girl will be a virgin at marriage, and reduces the risk of adultery by removing any possibility of sexual pleasure. It is thus used by men to create societies in which women are inferior, and objects that they own.
Village women have commonly ignored efforts by outside NGOs, often from overseas, to persuade them to give up the practice. They think: “Why should we stop? It’s our culture. Who are you to pressure us?” Now, since 2008, a new approach has been adopted in the 12 worst-affected countries. African women are talking to African communities in the local context, opening non-judgmental dialogues through repeated visits. This work is being supported by cultural ambassadors touring the villages. One such is Sister Fa, a hip-hop star from Senegal who is on a tour called “Education against Mutilation”. She believes music is the way to reach people in Africa, particularly the young. She was cut herself, and her home town has now stopped the practice.
Since the project started, 6,000 villages in 6 countries have abandoned FGM, and more do so all the time. Overall, the gains look small so far, but the movement is growing. In Ethiopia, the prevalence has fallen from 80% to 74%; in Kenya from 32% to 27%; and in Egypt from 97% to 91%. The project aims to wipe out the practice within a generation.
Mary R Mugyeni and Safina Kwekwe Tsungu - female African parliamentarians - have called for a similar approach that is community-based, working with civil society, traditional chiefs and religious leaders, youth movements, health personnel, teachers and local government.
A key to success is persuading men that it is ok to marry an uncut girl. As the coordinator of the UN Project noted, “Believe me, the female genital mutilation would stop tomorrow if the men wanted it to.” Another key is to remove religious endorsement. In Mauritania, for example, a fatwa pronounced in January 2010 and signed by 34 Islamic scholars called for FGM to be banned and asserted that it is by no means a religious requirement.
For the first time, there seems to be a realistic hope that this barbaric practice may be on its way out.
For more information see:
Our book Hope for Humanity, p234-8.
McVeigh, T. Africa shows signs of winning war against female genital mutilation The Observer newspaper, 6 February 2011
Blog by Mary R Mugyeni and Safina Kwekwe Tsungu We need a more robust effort to eradicate female genital mutilation posted 5 November 2010.
About 3m women still suffer this horrific trauma in Africa every year, and there may be as many as 20,000 girls under 15 at risk in the UK, with more in other European countries. There are estimated to be 140m women who have endured this ritual. Many girls die from the procedure, and complications can leave the girl crippled. Childbirth is made difficult, thus traumatising the infant as well as the mother.
Most common in Africa, FGM is regarded as part of many traditional cultures. Despite being illegal in most countries, women continue to inflict it on their daughters because they will be marginalised if they do not. Further, as ‘uncut’ women their daughters would be unable to marry, and treated as unclean - unable even to cook, or pass a drink of water to someone.
But there are deeper historical reasons for the custom based in male domination. In many cultures, women’s sexuality is regarded as dangerous, as reflected in arranged marriages before puberty, isolation of women from men other than the husband, and wearing of the burka. FGM ensures that the girl will be a virgin at marriage, and reduces the risk of adultery by removing any possibility of sexual pleasure. It is thus used by men to create societies in which women are inferior, and objects that they own.
Village women have commonly ignored efforts by outside NGOs, often from overseas, to persuade them to give up the practice. They think: “Why should we stop? It’s our culture. Who are you to pressure us?” Now, since 2008, a new approach has been adopted in the 12 worst-affected countries. African women are talking to African communities in the local context, opening non-judgmental dialogues through repeated visits. This work is being supported by cultural ambassadors touring the villages. One such is Sister Fa, a hip-hop star from Senegal who is on a tour called “Education against Mutilation”. She believes music is the way to reach people in Africa, particularly the young. She was cut herself, and her home town has now stopped the practice.
Since the project started, 6,000 villages in 6 countries have abandoned FGM, and more do so all the time. Overall, the gains look small so far, but the movement is growing. In Ethiopia, the prevalence has fallen from 80% to 74%; in Kenya from 32% to 27%; and in Egypt from 97% to 91%. The project aims to wipe out the practice within a generation.
Mary R Mugyeni and Safina Kwekwe Tsungu - female African parliamentarians - have called for a similar approach that is community-based, working with civil society, traditional chiefs and religious leaders, youth movements, health personnel, teachers and local government.
A key to success is persuading men that it is ok to marry an uncut girl. As the coordinator of the UN Project noted, “Believe me, the female genital mutilation would stop tomorrow if the men wanted it to.” Another key is to remove religious endorsement. In Mauritania, for example, a fatwa pronounced in January 2010 and signed by 34 Islamic scholars called for FGM to be banned and asserted that it is by no means a religious requirement.
For the first time, there seems to be a realistic hope that this barbaric practice may be on its way out.
For more information see:
Our book Hope for Humanity, p234-8.
McVeigh, T. Africa shows signs of winning war against female genital mutilation The Observer newspaper, 6 February 2011
Blog by Mary R Mugyeni and Safina Kwekwe Tsungu We need a more robust effort to eradicate female genital mutilation posted 5 November 2010.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Conservation Therapy for Drug Addicts
Addiction is both a common cause and a frequent consequence of psychological trauma. It affects not only the users of illegal drugs, but also many users of alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, pain killers, anti-depressants, sugar and other foods. It extends to problem gamblers, and all those consumers who indulge in ‘retail therapy.’ One of the most important ways we can bring hope to humanity is by working to reduce addiction.
Connection with nature can be a powerful healing experience. UK charity Phoenix Futures makes creative use of this to bring hope to many of the drug addicts that it helps kick their habits. The aim of their Conservation Therapy Programme is to help users of their service rediscover themselves through contact with nature. Away from traditional therapeutic settings, ‘the outdoors’ creates a powerful environment which builds self esteem and confidence. Participation in this programme has led to a 28% increase in retention rates in residential rehabilitation programmes, and 53% make a full recovery. An important additional benefit is that it benefits local communities and the conservation of specific areas of countryside.
In a new initiative reported by the Guardian newspaper, Phoenix Futures encourages those who have beaten addiction with the their help to plant a tree in an area owned by the Woodland Trust as part of a larger rehabilitation project. John Crane, their alcohol treatment practitioner said:
Recovery is a journey from ruin to resurrection – it's about growth and renewal and unlocking potential. People who go through recovery remark about being reborn, and a tree growing is a great symbol of recovery and a great metaphor for growth. It was essential for me that service users plant the trees themselves because my intention is that the forest should be a powerful experience for everybody who goes there – this makes recovering a location as well as a word.
Phoenix Future’s chief executive, Karen Biggs, adds:
I want the forest to become a place where people can come throughout the year and bring their families. It shows the growth and strength of people going through the recovery journey and is a living symbol of individual and collective achievement – a beautiful symbol on the landscape.
The last word comes from Jaime Kinsella who is about to complete her recovery programme after being a drug user for 20 years:
It is truly inspirational. A tree is so symbolic. This is a really special day and it is a place I will return to with my children in the future.
Connection with nature can be a powerful healing experience. UK charity Phoenix Futures makes creative use of this to bring hope to many of the drug addicts that it helps kick their habits. The aim of their Conservation Therapy Programme is to help users of their service rediscover themselves through contact with nature. Away from traditional therapeutic settings, ‘the outdoors’ creates a powerful environment which builds self esteem and confidence. Participation in this programme has led to a 28% increase in retention rates in residential rehabilitation programmes, and 53% make a full recovery. An important additional benefit is that it benefits local communities and the conservation of specific areas of countryside.
In a new initiative reported by the Guardian newspaper, Phoenix Futures encourages those who have beaten addiction with the their help to plant a tree in an area owned by the Woodland Trust as part of a larger rehabilitation project. John Crane, their alcohol treatment practitioner said:
Recovery is a journey from ruin to resurrection – it's about growth and renewal and unlocking potential. People who go through recovery remark about being reborn, and a tree growing is a great symbol of recovery and a great metaphor for growth. It was essential for me that service users plant the trees themselves because my intention is that the forest should be a powerful experience for everybody who goes there – this makes recovering a location as well as a word.
Phoenix Future’s chief executive, Karen Biggs, adds:
I want the forest to become a place where people can come throughout the year and bring their families. It shows the growth and strength of people going through the recovery journey and is a living symbol of individual and collective achievement – a beautiful symbol on the landscape.
The last word comes from Jaime Kinsella who is about to complete her recovery programme after being a drug user for 20 years:
It is truly inspirational. A tree is so symbolic. This is a really special day and it is a place I will return to with my children in the future.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Pakistan 6 months after the floods
Six months after the devastating floods that affected 20m people in Pakistan, the world has largely forgotten their plight. Attention has shifted to more recent events, such as the floods in Australia. But on the ground, the needs are still huge. As BBC News reported recently, countless numbers don’t even have tents, warm clothing or blankets to shield them from the cold winter weather. And UNICEF describes the situation in Sindh province as a malnutrition crisis of ‘epic proportions’, where one in five flood-affected children is malnourished.
It is hardly surprising that such massive destruction of lives, families, communities, infrastructure and livelihoods should lead to trauma. In particular, a new study by Save the Children reports that children of all ages are suffering profound psychological impacts due to the loss of reliability, cohesion and predictability. They found high levels of anxiety, depression and phobias in a sample of 60 children. To help them recover, SCF has set up 174 safe play areas in the worst-hit places, where children are supported through art therapy and group counselling as well as play activities. Seven of them tell their stories on Guardian online.
Recovery from natural disasters requires more than physical aid. It is essential to provide emotional and psychological help as well for individuals, families and whole communities so that they can heal their traumatic experiences and rebuild their lives.
It is hardly surprising that such massive destruction of lives, families, communities, infrastructure and livelihoods should lead to trauma. In particular, a new study by Save the Children reports that children of all ages are suffering profound psychological impacts due to the loss of reliability, cohesion and predictability. They found high levels of anxiety, depression and phobias in a sample of 60 children. To help them recover, SCF has set up 174 safe play areas in the worst-hit places, where children are supported through art therapy and group counselling as well as play activities. Seven of them tell their stories on Guardian online.
Recovery from natural disasters requires more than physical aid. It is essential to provide emotional and psychological help as well for individuals, families and whole communities so that they can heal their traumatic experiences and rebuild their lives.
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