The Sundance Film Festival award winning film, "Resilience," will be shown at 6:30 PM with a Q&A panel at 7:30 PM Wednesday, March 28th at the Brownell Library. This film is about "The silent epidemic no one is talking about" and explains how adverse childhood experiences lead to adult physical disease, mental health issues, and shortened life expectancy. The film is being sponsored by the Brownell Library, Representatives Houghton, Giambatista and Dunn. A panel discussion with Dr. George Till, MD, and Priscilla White, Child Victim Treatment Director for the State of Vermont, will follow. Dr. Till is also a State Representative from Jericho and has supported Vermont state legislation promoting training for teachers, school nurses, and other community health personnel to build resilience in affected children. The panel will be moderated by Essex Junction State Representative Lori Houghton.
ACE is an acronym that stands for Adverse Childhood Experiences. These can include abuse or neglect, witnessing abuse, parental divorce, homelessness, loss of a parent, and similar experiences that cause chronic stress in a child. Studies have shown that four or more ACEs in a child's life can lead to a higher risk of adult onset of chronic health problems such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, suicide, and alcoholism. They can even alter DNA under certain conditions. But, the good news is that the brain is plastic, and the body wants to heal. If ACE related stressors are identified early enough, steps can be taken to help the brain and the body become healthier.
Join us on Wednesday March 28th to learn more and join our discussion.
We will start promptly at 6:30pm.
For more information, reach out to lhoughton@leg.state.vt.us
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