Listening to Families Videos

Dame Sue Bagshaw (Youth worker with a Medical degree) talks about the types of trauma and how these can impact the brain. She talks about how early trauma can have a negative impact at puberty. She explains where the term Post Traumatic Mental Injury came from and notes that the term injury implies that recovery is possible.

Dame Sue Bagshaw (Youth worker with a Medical degree) explains that disorder means disease. She talks about changing environments and journeying with people to help them achieve change. She and Shelley discuss the impact of perceptions on mental injury.

Dame Sue Bagshaw (Youth worker with a Medical degree) explains brain changes from birth. She uses a diagram to explain what’s happening in the brain. She talks about the amygdala and the impact on this when there is heightened awareness (stress) and how this manifests at puberty. Sue notes the importance of a safe environment and the role of talking in healing.

Dame Sue Bagshaw (Youth worker with a Medical degree) talks about the role of a safe environment in developing new connections in the brain. She comments on the “this is the parents fault” criticism. She talks about the importance of giving emotions a label – describing these. She and Shelley talk about distinguishing between disability and different abilities.

Dame Sue Bagshaw (Youth worker with a Medical degree) notes that siblings are often left out. She promotes the idea of a “flat meeting” for families as a way of getting them to work together, feeling that siblings belong in the family.

Dame Sue Bagshaw (Youth worker with a Medical degree) responds to a question about an enlarged amygdala and executive functioning. She talks about the importance of growing up in a safe space and the role that this plays in brain growth.

Dame Sue Bagshaw (Youth worker with a Medical degree) and Shelley talk about communicating with children. They discuss the importance of families eating together and the significant benefits that arise from this.

Dame Sue Bagshaw (Youth worker with a Medical degree) confirms that communication is behaviour, behaviour is communication. She notes that belonging creates safety.