Loneliness, mental health challenges and substance use have risen in our culture. In the midst of suffering, people continue to report feeling judged and stigmatized. We know from the research that there’s a strong correlation between early childhood trauma, mental and physical health issues. Guided by science, empathy, a trauma-informed lens and type 2 thinking, we’ll debunk myths and begin moving away from “us versus them” toward a vision that “we” can heal, connect and thrive together. Armed with powerful insights we can begin to find sustainable solutions by becoming compassionate, resilient, and self-healing communities. This training provides an overview of the science of positive experiences, how ACEs and stigma greatly increase the risk for isolation and loneliness. This approach reduces barriers to improve health equity, resilience, and connection to support well-being.

Speaker: Kini-Ana Tinkham, (she/her/hers)

Kini is the Executive Director of the Maine Resilience Building Network, a public health not-for-profit working to improve the health and well-being of children, individuals, and communities by advancing MRBN’s mission through capacity building, system integration, education, policy, and advocacy.

Kini has worked in public health and healthcare for 40 years as an RN, educator, advocate, and leader. She brings proven system transformation leadership to advance health equity, and well-being. In addition to her work at MRBN, her career expands across maternal and child health, home visitation, school-based health centers, youth leadership, and community health education. Kini is a Daniel Hanley Center for Health Leadership Class VII graduate. She has served as a school board member and Chair of the RSU #38 school committee and a past recipient of the Maine Youth Action Network (MYAN) Youth Leadership and Advocacy award.

About the webinar: This webinar is hosted by the New England PTTC, a program funded by SAMHSA, in response to an identified need for training on strategies to reduce stigma for prevention professionals in New England. Participants who complete the full webinar will receive a certificate of participation for 1.5 contact hours. No partial credit will be awarded. This webinar will not be recorded.

Note: This webinar will NOT be recorded.