“All of us are greater than our ACE score”, quote from Resilience film
“Resilience; The Biology of Stress and Science of Hope” is an American produced film that highlights and explores the development of understanding around Adverse Childhood Experiences, commonly known as ACE. The film was brought to Moray earlier this Septemeber as a way to explore what is being done to prevent and to help those with experience of trauma or ACE in their lives. It gathered a range of people in roles that support children and young people to watch the film together and then discuss what it means locally.
“Everything is about relationships”, quote from Resilience film
The event started with an overview from a Scottish perspective by Pauline Beirne from Scottish Government. She encouraged us to take the film and be inspired but to remember that using a tally or checklist approach to ACE is not how we want to work in Scotland, and rather take a person-centred approach where we use more of a ‘Trauma Informed’ approach. One key aim of this work is to interrupt the cycle of those parents who experience trauma and then, without judement, we can support to create different experiences for their children. It was noted that refering and treatment does not interrupt this cycle, that we need something much greater that addresses the issues around poverty and deprivation longterm.
To read more about ACE and trauma-informed approaches some good links are:
“Not enough people hear and use loving language”, quote from Resilience film
The film had some startling facts such as the original inspiration behind the creation of ACE work was based on research that showed there was a functional change in the brain due to trauma, that people end up with an exaggerated fear response and live in ‘toxic’ stress.
“Health begins with hope”, quote from Resilience film
A number of our Champions were involved in the day from their work roles and they have shared some reflections both about the content of the film and the impact of the day on their wellbeing.
