Industry News

Stress is hard, trauma is worse, and in a pandemic both are unavoidable. Let’s at least learn from it.

December is traditionally a time to reflect on the past and look to the future. But in this most unusual December, Lionhearted will instead take look at some COVID-related issues in the present.

December is traditionally a time to reflect on the past and look to the future. But in this most unusual December, Lionhearted will instead take look at some COVID-related issues in the present.

This issue is devoted to Uplift’s direct service staff, or DSS: clinicians, specialists, facilitators, youth and family partners, doctors, nurses, professional parents – everyone who works, in-person or via telehealth, with the people we serve.

Believe it or not, 2020 is about to hit us with at least two more stressors: the holidays and the election. Time for everyone, including employees and the families we serve, to think ahead.

Jenae Ailia is a young singer/songwriter and daughter of Janelle Surrey, an Uplift CPM in Sacramento. Here, in their own words, is Jenae’s story of resilience.

Music gave me unfiltered access to my trauma and for the first time allowed me into myself. I started with expression and that led to artistry, which led me towards healing. Creativity is healing. It is why we as humans have survived.

We have many, many tools to resist trauma and we must use them. They include resilience, kindness, love, emotional support, hard work, material resources, self-care, laughter, faith and hope. Another critical tool, especially in a traumatic event of this magnitude, is trauma-informed leadership.

Since May 25th, when George Floyd died under the knee of a Minneapolis police officer, demonstrators nation-wide have protested institutionalized violence against Black Americans. On June 1st , Uplift’s CEO and President addressed this issue in an all-staff email, concluding with an invitation to respond. Charee Johnson, a clinician in Los Angeles, did just that.