Kennedy-Donovan Center’s Post

February 12 is 𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙀𝙥𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙥𝙨𝙮 𝘿𝙖𝙮; it is now more important than ever. It is a powerful moment of global unity, observed annually to shed light on the challenges and triumphs of approximately 50 million people living with epilepsy worldwide. It's a day marked by purple ribbons and heartfelt stories, aimed at breaking down the barriers of stigma and misunderstanding that surround this neurological condition. Through education, advocacy, and community support.💪 #epilepsy #epilepsyawareness #epilepsywarrior #epilepsyday #epilepsyawarenessday

Discernment Assembly! As a community-led organization, this assembly was where we choose the issues focuses our campaign work on over the next two years. It is also how to create the teams to turn concerns into winnable campaign. Through rounds of advocacy, RTDG, and voting in different layers, topics selected for upcomming campaign: - job opportunities - affordable housing - mental health @ACWGC.ca @communityorganizationforchange

As panel #1 bring out the vast intergenerational ground on youth well-being issues and policies advocacy, this panel take a step further and deeper to return the attention to the people: What is the human experience of being a youth advocate, and how can we extend the care and love from those we advocate for, to ourselves, and to the stakeholders older than us that only as human as us? This panel builds on panel #1 to spark a genuine dialogue with a diverse group of advocates, from veterans advocates to newcomers, from accomplished U.S. advocates to everyday European youth to explore intersection of personal experiences and policy advocacy. The goal is to refocus attention on our shared humanity, transcending labels of "youth," "stakeholders", "advocate," or "struggling individual." and highlight we are all only human, and together we make ourselves and the world a bit happier. Learn more and register: https://lnkd.in/guJMsNh2 Join Trace Terrell, Juan Acosta, Alejandro Campoy, Areli Rosales, and Joanna Hua in making youth voices unignorable in behavioral health policy!

My experiences both personally and heard anecdotally from friends and family certainly reflects what Jessica Dark ND is saying in her latest blog for ND Perspective. Last year, I didn't want to pursue a diagnosis for autism as I already knew the answer, after two years of research and wondering, and knew there was unlikely to be any additional benefit from a diagnosis other than being certain, which I already was. I was medically diagnosed with bipolar and have written in my latest edition of my LinkedIn Newsletter, Autistic & Bipolar Musings, how I found that few months last year self-identifying as autistic and then being diagnosed bipolar (link in my featured section of profile). They were completely different experiences. Ironically the medical diagnosis and lack of post diagnosis support for the bipolar - achieved privately anyway as I'm not sick enough apparently to warrant an NHS psychiatrist 🤔 - was shocking, non-existent from both psychiatrist and GP who I went to see after the diagnosis. They didn't even signpost to Bipolar UK which has lots of useful peer-led support. That probably contributed to the severe depression I experienced a couple of months after the diagnosis. For me, I have to not only self-advocate for myself, but also be a fervent parent advocate for my two neurodivergent children. They have diagnoses but no tangible support for any of their conditions or traits which challenge them in different ways - autism, ADHD or dyslexia. Certainly none that we haven't had to pay privately for. Peer-led communities like ND Perspective and Bipolar UK are so important in the absence of this ❤️ #ActuallyAutistic #Bipolar #SelfAdvocacy #Neurodivergence

Combating Racism and Stereotyping in Therapy: Breaking Down Barriers 🚫 Discover the shocking truth about racism, microaggressions, and stereotyping within therapy. 🧠 Despite these challenges, there's a growing awareness and push for change in the field. Join us as we explore the pervasive impacts of these issues and the urgent need for education and advocacy. Together, we can make a positive change by promoting anti-racism initiatives and fostering inclusive therapy practices that prioritise cultural sensitivity and respect. #RacismInTherapy #BreakingBarriers #Microaggressions #StereotypingAwareness #TherapyEducation #PositiveChange #AntiRacism #EducationMatters #MentalHealthAdvocacy #InclusiveTherapy #BempongTalkingTherapy 🌍💬

In celebration of Autistic Pride Day on June 18, Autism-Europe stands proudly in leading advocacy for the rights and visibility of autistic people. Our multiannual campaign, ‘Not invisible’ resonates deeply with the message of Autistic and Neurodiversity Pride. It aims to shine a light on the often overlooked and invisible barriers that autistic people face daily. It is also a call to recognise and value the strengths that autistic people can bring to society, not least in the world of work. ‘Not invisible’ is a Europe-wide push to ensure that autistic people are seen, heard, supported, and included at every level of society. https://lnkd.in/dG6X3zfj #AutismNotInvisible #AutisticPrideDay

Join us for the STAR Open House this Thursday, October 17th, in recognition of DV Awareness Month! 💜✨ STAR aims to cultivate community, share resources, and continue dialogue about the collective impact of domestic violence. Let’s come together to support, learn, and make a difference! 🤝💬 The STAR (Support, Training, Advocacy, and Resources) Open House on Thursday, October 17th, is a key event in honor of Domestic Violence (DV) Awareness Month. This initiative aims to foster a sense of community, providing a platform for individuals and organizations to engage in meaningful dialogue on the collective impact of domestic violence. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore resources, learn about STAR's ongoing efforts, and contribute to conversations on supporting survivors and preventing domestic violence in the community. By bringing together community members, advocates, and service providers, STAR’s Open House emphasizes the importance of collaboration in addressing DV. Through various discussions and resource sharing, attendees can deepen their understanding of DV’s pervasive effects and explore ways to take action. The event is a chance to learn more about support systems in place, upcoming training opportunities, and advocacy efforts. To attend, participants can register through the provided QR code or link in the organization’s bio, ensuring they can engage with others committed to making a difference in the fight against domestic violence. Register to attend using the QR code or link in our bio! 📲🔗 https://lnkd.in/d8HMVbsB #DVAM2024 #EndDomesticViolence #SupportSurvivors #CommunityImpact #AdvocacyMatters #STAROpenHouse #BreakTheSilence #TogetherWeRise 💪

Imposter syndrome is one of biggest challenges organizations face in leveraging the full potential of their workforce. Once we recognize imposter syndrome as a collective issue and not an individual issue systemic progress can be made. In my recent keynote at Visa we explored how organizations can tap into the broad spectrum of talent ,skills and abilities of all employees by addressing imposter syndrome through creating supportive environments rooted in allyship and advocacy practices that validate and uplift everyone. #impostersyndrome #allyship #womensempowerment #belimitless

People with profound autism aren't generally included in clinical research. This means solutions that are helpful for them aren't even part of the conversation. Please take a moment to register for our advocacy alerts today and urge others to join you. Together, we can advocate to make sure profound autism is part of the conversation. 🔗 to join: https://lnkd.in/eetwGyBh #ProfoundAutism #ProfoundAutismAdvocacy

Trauma Response Northamptonshire @The Crysalys Foundation and @University of Northampton are hosting a training day this week. The training is part of the TRN pilot project in @Northamptonshire. The project is engaging 25 children in the criminal justice system and in care.  18 delegates working on the project will be learning more about trauma and attachment understanding and recovery. Delegates will be from project partners @ChrysalisProgramme, @ServiceSix, @NorthamptonshireYouthOffending Service, and @StandOutNorthamptonshire. The session will be led by Professor of Child Advocacy, Eunice Lumsden. Professor Lumsden is working as a consultant on the project. A UK first to bring together cross-sector agencies to work differently with children. Project outcomes include: improving wellbeing, increased family support; and reduced offending. The project is funded by @TheNationalLotteryCommunityFund. We will let you know how it goes! #thecrysalysfoundation #nationallotterycommunityfund #nationallottery #traumaresponsenorthamptonshire #TRN #childrenincare   #childreninneed #childrenincriminaljusticesystem #reducingyouthcrime   #reducingreoffending #familyresilience #northamptonshire  #trauma #stress #anxiety #PTSD