June's Newsletter Theme:
Rebuild Your Life with PTSD Awareness
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New! Three Helpful Articles! Look Inside!
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Resilience: Rebuild Your Life with PTSD Awareness
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a non profit 501(c)3
Because of you and our simple MISSION, more
kids are being protected, more adult survivors served!
NAASCA has a single purpose, to address issues related to childhood abuse and trauma including sexual assault, violent or physical abuse, emotional traumas and neglect .. and we do so from two specific perspectives
:
- educating the public, especially as related to getting society over the taboo of discussing childhood sexual abuse, presenting the facts that show child abuse to be a pandemic, worldwide problem that affects everyone
- offering hope for healing through numerous paths, providing many services to adult survivors of child abuse and information for anyone interested in the many issues involving prevention, intervention and recovery
Building a survivor / activist / professional community ... because
together we can do what we cannot do alone
.
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JOIN!
NAASCA's daytime Recovery Meetings
ZOOM webinar series – now 3 times/week!
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Welcome to the June 2020 NAASCA Newsletter
Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter mailing list!
Please encourage others to get in touch by suggesting they
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This month's newsletter theme is:
"Rebuild Your Life from PTSD Awareness"
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Upcoming June Dates
Beginning of Summer
Beautiful in Your Skin Month
Children's Awareness Month
National GLBT (Gay,Lesbian,Bisexual & Transgender) Pride Month
National Safety Month
PTSD Awareness Month
Rebuild Your Life Month
Student Safety Month
“June was most likely named for the Roman goddess Juno, patroness of marriage and the well-being of women. Another interpretation says that the name came from the Latin
juvenis
, ‘young people,’ who were celebrated at this time.”
www.almanac.com
June 1: Stand for Children Day
June 1: World Narcissistic Abuse Day
June 4: Audacity To Hope Day
June 4: International Day of Innocent Children Victims of
Aggression
June 5: Baby Boomers Recognition Day
June 7: Children's Awareness Memorial Day
June 11: National Making Life Beautiful Day
June 12: World Day Against Child Labor
June 13: Children's Sunday
June 13: Multicultural American Child Day
June 13: Abused Women and Children's Awareness Day
June 15: Power of a Smile Day
June 19: The summer solstice
heralds the start of summer.
June 19: International Day For The Elimination of Sexual Violence
in Conflict
June 21: Father's Day
June 21: Family Awareness Day
June 23: America's Kids Day
June 23: Let It Go Day
June 27: PTSD Awareness Day
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A NOTE FROM BILL
Exciting news !!! NAASCA has gone Spanish !!!
We've launched our first Spanish pages on the NAASCA web site.
To get there simply enter the word 'espanol' after the regular URL .. like this:
The CONTACT page identifies the volunteers who are helping get the Spanish portion of the NAASCA effort up and running.
You're familiar with the English site's tools, services, and resources, and we'll be duplicating many of them in Spanish.
If you encounter other bi-lingual or Spanish folks send them to our two new 'NAASCA en Español' Facebook groups, one
PUBLICO
, the other
CERRADO
.
Please share this info to our Latino NAASCA family members!
And remember, we now do THREE 'special guest' episodes each week .. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
We'll need additional guests to tell their stories in February .. so there are now several slots open that we want to fill in! Please send me an email if you'd like to participate:
Bmurray3rd@aol.com
The 'Current Schedule' on the front page of our
NAASCA.org
web site accurately reflects the OPEN dates (clearly marked in GRAY).
Here's looking ahead for a wonderful New Year in 2020!!
In gratitude to each of you, I am .. yours in service,
Bill
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Dedicate your birthday to supporting NAASCA
by Bill Murray
Recently, and all of a sudden, it was that time again .. my BIRTHDAY !!! .. (March 26, 1953)
It seems like this happens every year! LOL
There are numerous ways to support our truly unique organization.
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Or, if you prefer, join our
LinkedIn
group!
We're building a survivor / activist community!
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NAASCA's SCAN Shows are Now on Three Platforms!
All our "Stop Child Abuse Now" talk radio shows are now available as 'on-demand' podcasts on three different platforms!
by Bill Murray
It's amazing, but NAASCA and our 'sister effort' LACP (Los Angeles Community Policing) have produced over 3000 "Stop Child Abuse Now" and "Community Matters This Week" talk radio shows!
We do our shows on BlogTalkRadio five-nights-a-week, all but Saturday and Sunday evenings, and each is recorded as it's being aired. It doesn't take long for the library to add up.
Now there are three ways to access these podcasts:
1. Directly through our
NAASCA web site
's 'ARCHIVES' by simply clicking on the episode's name (a number)
2. By using
APPLE Podcasts
for iPhone-style mobile devices – thanks to Dwight Hurych, North Carolina, for setting this up as a NAASCA volunteer!
3. Through
GOOGLE Podcasts
for those who use Android phones – thanks to Charm Isom-Asenime for explaining how to hear our shows on the GOOGLE Podcast platform, too,
NAASCA's 'ARCHIVES' are accessed through the NAASCA website's HOME page where it says 'current schedule'. Each year is listed there.
Please see full details, including how to download the Apple and Google Podcast apps, on the NAASCA website page:
I am so pleased that NAASCA has increased its outreach through these two additional venues!
Please help us SHARE about these new platforms by spreading the word to as many survivors and advocates you can.
We hope this enhances our ability to execute our mission: educating the public about childhood abuse, and offering hope and healing to survivors.
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What Is Life After PTSD?
As a victim of child abuse, it is natural to experience PTSD, among other psychological and physical issues.
You are not damaged. You are not broken. And it can get better.
There can be life after PTSD!
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Many victims of child abuse have found this life. But the reality is this is a lot of work. And it is possible. Do not give up! Life can be beautiful if you work towards resolving your pain and learning a way to deal with the anguish and pain left over from a childhood of abuse.
So, What Is Life After PTSD?
Can you imagine a life where you do not get scared when a person swings at a fly for it to move away? Imagine, if you will, the type of life that involved peaceful sleep, excitement for new adventures, and a life in which you feel in control.
This is life after PTSD. PTSD is a disorder wherein you are reliving your abuse and living in a state of fear and anxiety. This is a treatable disorder. Your therapist will help you process the horrors you endured. Don’t worry, this is about you, not your abuser.
That does not mean the process is fun or lighthearted. It is a difficult process. But you are strong. You have made it this far. You can get to the other side of this tunnel as well.
And at the other side is the rainbow you always dreamed existed. It is a life with you in charge. You get to choose how you live your life and who you allow in. And you get to laugh, smile, and enjoy daily activities. The abuse is now only a piece of your story. It does not define you.
When you are ready to find your life after PTSD, remember you are never alone. Your friends at NAASCA are here for you. We are all in this life together.
So let’s do this, together.
Stay safe,
If you are the person in need of help, we are here for you. And remember,
NAASCA
has a ton of resources available to make sure you and those you love are safe, even during a worldwide pandemic.
Stay safe. Stay healthy. Stay sane.
Deb Ferguson, NAASCA volunteer
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Help for Your Resilience Toolbox
Like many survivors, I struggle with anxiety and the pandemic has tested my resilience. I awaken in the middle of the night, concerned about loved ones. My appetite is hampered, and I feel the claws of depression digging into the corners of my mind.
When a young woman with a high ponytail jogs past me, her chest heaving, I scurry to the far right of the trail worried I might inhale a noxious droplet expelled from her body. Perhaps you, too, understand.
If your body has been on high alert, it is responding naturally to a real threat. The amygdala, a small, almond-shaped area of the brain that manages fear and other emotions, is signaling your system that something in the world could harm you.
Anxiety becomes unmanageable when we aren’t equipped to deal with it, but we can fill our toolbox with a variety of aids that will help us build resilience as the world recovers from Covid-19. Several of these are listed below.
·
Create a plan-
Developing a written plan helps provide direction when we’re overwhelmed.
·
Feel the feels
-Even though fear and anxiety are uncomfortable, admitting they are part of our experience gives us the opportunity to recognize that feelings are temporary. They do not define our existence.
·
Hand on heart
-Place your right hand over your heart and then slowly breathe in and out several times. This technique lowers the heart rate and reduces physical symptoms of anxiety.
·
Figure eight swaying
-Stand up and gently move your body in the shape of a figure eight. This action results in the release of endorphins which helps the body relax and improves its mood.
·
Listen to music
-Create a playlist. Music has been shown to lower cortisol, releases dopamine, and reduces anxiety. One recent finding indicates that music combined with nature sounds, particularly water, is especially effective.
·
Get outside
-Time spent outdoors reduces cortisol levels, lowers blood pressure and inflammation, and improves mood. Just twenty to thirty minutes spent walking, gardening, or enjoying a book on the patio can declutter the mind and bring a fresh perspective to the day.
·
Practice healthy sleep hygiene
-Log off social media and other electronic devices at least one hour before turning in for the night. The blue light associated with computers and similar gadgets disrupts the brain’s ability to allow for deep sleep.
If anxiety or depression have reached a level beyond personal management, you are not alone. Social isolation, job loss, and fear of illness or death have triggered an array of mental health struggles around the globe. Many counseling groups are providing online therapy sessions to meet client needs. A few other resources to consider include:
Being resilient does not mean managing alone. Resilience is learning to adapt well despite the circumstances.
Tammy Kennington, NAASCA Volunteer
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Boundaries & Relationships
As a society in whole we have many types of relationships. We have family, friends, and professional.
Each group has a different set of boundaries that are set up and for good reason.
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In a family unit, boundaries are more relaxed. Most of our family members are available to us at most times – unless emotional or physical abuse has taken place. With friends we have an open-door policy with the understanding we have family obligations that may come first when balancing our time.
In a professional setting we are there for certain reasons and the boundaries must be respected by both parties in order not to invade the personal life of each individual or consume time that would take away from self-care or necessary daily living.
For survivors of sexual abuse these boundaries are really important to us. As children we were not allowed to have boundaries, causing emotional and physical harm. When we feel our boundaries are being invaded as adults, we have the natural reaction to put up walls and go into protective mode.
Never feel guilty for having to set boundaries and don’t get your feelings hurt if someone sets boundaries on you. This is a healthy process we all need in order to be healthy productive adults.
Each individual has a different set of circumstances in their life and are at a different place in healing. It’s one of the things I find most beautiful about recovery: we can always learn from everyone and can go back and be reminded of where we started. I am completely humbled by this.
© Malisia McKinney (Mia)
NAASCA’s "Stop Child Abuse Now" (SCAN) shows are broadcast live 5 nights a week, Monday through Friday, LIVE at 8pm EST (so 5pm PST) for 90 minutes, at this link:
www.BlogTalkRadio.com/NAASCA
The dedicated call-in number is: 646-595-2118
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NAASCA's Grateful to All Our Members & Volunteers !
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We Need YOU!
We Need Each Other!
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Fighting For Kids,
Serving Adult Survivors
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Did you know that NAASCA is
entirely staffed by non-paid volunteers
including the Board of Directors?
All the services, programs, tools, resources, and social media efforts that we offer entirely
FREE
to anyone, anytime, anywhere in the world are staffed by volunteers from our NAASCA family!
It literally would not be possible without
YOU
.
There are many ways you can volunteer with NAASCA. If you have a little time or a lot, your help is greatly appreciated and needed. Check out our list of available positions here:
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A gift to NAASCA, created for us by Terri Lanahan of Butte, Montana, author of "
Hear My Voice
".
This is a tool anyone can download and use as a help whenever making a presentation on child abuse and trauma. It's a set of some two dozen PowerPoint slides that one can show on a laptop, send in an email, or can project on a screen for a larger group. Activist members of the NAASCA family might want to use it to explain any number of aspects of child abuse and trauma recovery.
Terri's wonderful PowerPoint presentation is located on NAASCA web site's '
Promotional Tools
' page and in our social media groups.
Show off NAASCA -- our mission, services and tools !
REMEMBER .. On the NAASCA web page you'll find links to
how to get
even more great help
when making presentations or during fundraising:
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Have You Listened to Our Talk Radio Show Lately ?
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Monday through Friday evenings we broadcast an internet-based live streaming talk show. This is one of the best
FREE
SERVICES we offer to our NAASCA members!
All shows start at
8pm EST
(so that's
7pm CEN
,
6pm MTN
&
5pm PAC
)
We really want to hear from you!
Anyone can participate or just listen to the show by calling:
(646) 595-2118
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Are You a Survivor of Child Abuse Looking for Support?
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In need of support in your local community?
NAASCA provides listings for your local area in our
Recovery Groups and Services
page. We have gathered ALL the English speaking recovery groups and services we can find,
not only in
North America but from around the world. This list can connect you with numerous agencies, therapy, support groups and other resources in your local area.
Looking for support after hours or from home?
Can't find a group you can get to easily or want to connect when it is after business hours? Needing a way to talk about your story but want to stay anonymous? We also provide a link to another separate listing for
Online Groups and Services
, for Internet-based recovery groups.
As you can imagine, keeping this listing current and updated is a huge task. You can help other survivors find the support they need.
Submit updates for the '
Recovery Groups List
' to Carolin O'Hara:
Submit any updates for the '
Online Resource List
' to Valerie:
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You are not alone, and never have to be, a day at a time!
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All members of NAASCA are part of our 'NAASCA family', and that's not just something we say. We care about each other and that includes YOU.
We want you to feel comfortable reaching out to any of our volunteers, with any of your questions about what NAASCA offers, or for help navigating the website.
Even if you simply want someone to talk to when you are dealing with a difficult moment in your recovery as a survivor... we are here for you.
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Some are listed as night owls, some as available 24/7, others are part of our International community, still others are young or helping some specific types of survivors. Try it!
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A Note from Our Founder and CEO:
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Healing from child abuse and trauma can be a very lonely journey .. but you'll never be alone again, a day at a time, if you don't want to be !!
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NAASCA belongs to no other group and receives no outside funding. We're self-supporting through our own members' voluntary contributions.
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Please consider a one time
or recurring donation
.
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Thanking you for all you do in the fight against child abuse and trauma and welcoming you to engage with your NAASCA family, I remain, as always,
Yours in service,
Bill Murray
, Founder and CEO
National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse.
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