Fredericksburg Parent

20 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • November 2023 Reports about America's mental health crisis point to traumatic events such as the pandemic, pov- erty and family instability to explain why so many people are struggling. But by looking at the individuals who have experienced these events without adverse outcomes, we can learn how to build a society where more individuals have this kind of resilience, says Rick Griffin, executive director of the Community Resilience Initiative, a Washington-based nonprofit that uses brain science to help communities and individuals build resilience. While it's easy to list the protective factors that help individuals build resilience—including every- thing from trusting relationships, to physical exercise, to creative pursuits—Griffin wants people to understand the brain response that these factors elicit that helps people overcome traumatic experiences. "It really comes down to the brain doing what it does best, and that is getting needs met in order to survive," he said. Our brains are constantly on the lookout for potential threats. In young brains that are still grow- ing, the accuracy of this threat prediction isn't always 100%. "Sometimes teenage brains might predict a threat where none exists, but yet the same process happens in the body as if there were a true threat, where cortisol and adrenaline are released," Griffin says. This stress response impacts individuals physically and emotionally, and over time can lead to anxi- ety and other mental health challenges. Protective factors work because they trigger an opposite brain reaction—the release of chemicals like dopamine and oxytocin. "These chemicals help us to engage in healthier ways with one another," Griffin said. "I think an important understanding for parents to have is what is driving all of these things that we know as protective factors. The question should be, 'What can I do to understand what my child needs and find a way to provide that for them?'" Brain Science building BLOCKS: To understand resilience, start with the brain Rick Griffin, executive director of the Community Resilience Initiative, a Washington-based nonprofit that uses brain science to help communities and individuals build resilience. WRITTEN BY EMILY FREEHLING MEET THE BASIC NEEDS FIRST Parents can help children activate more positive brain chemicals by understanding that the brain is wired to pursue two primary things—safety and connection. When the brain senses these needs aren't being met, children can have difficulty focus- ing on things like following rules, academics and meeting normal behavioral expectations. Parents can play an important role by understanding their children's needs for safety and connection and meeting those needs. This can look like making space in the schedule for children to connect with friends, allow- ing sufficient access to appropriate technology tools for kids to stay connected with peers, and cultivating a safe home environment where children know they can unload their prob- lems. "If a parent can offload some of those safety and connection needs, then that frees up the brain to spend more time learning and doing all of the other things the brain can do," he said.

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