Fostering Human Resilience

Biography

Biography: Jean A. Rhea

Abstract

Traumatic events, according to the World Health Organization in a WHO study of 21 countries, shows more than 10% of respondents reported witnessing violence (21.8%) or experiencing interpersonal violence (18.8%), accidents (17.7%), exposure to war (16.2%) or trauma to a loved one (12.5%). An estimated 3.6% of the world's population has suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). According to Dr. Richard Miller in his book, The iRest Program for Healing PTSD, an estimated 220 million Americans will experience a traumatic event at least once during their lifetime, while 44 million go on to develop symptoms of PTSD. Surviving trauma is an increasing reality for individuals, families, communities and entire nations. Research has also shown that people’s ability to demonstrate resilience, according to the American Psychological Association (APA), is more ordinary than extraordinary and can be developed by anyone. Collaborating with those affected by trauma utilizing client-driven, strengths-based models of care based on best-practices, while embracing cultural identity, can call forth and inspire the resilience of the human heart and spirit necessary not only to survive but thrive. According to the APA, studies show the primary importance of relationships, especially those that create love and trust, that offer the encouragement, that can foster the behaviors, thoughts and actions necessary to transform deep psychological wounding, including trauma, toward healing. It is ultimately each individual’s inner resources, supported by deep listening and guidance, that determine how we become healthy with the possibility of moving beyond what is even imaginable.