Alive and Well Community in Conversation

Published: Oct. 6, 2014, 5:17 p.m.

All in Together Now!

Listen in on the first "ALIVE and WELL STL" community converstaion and join in!!! Together let's plan how St. Louis can work together to improve our overall health and become "Alive and Well."

Understanding Trauma and Its Impact Makes us Alive and Well!

Research demonstrates that adverse events and stress - especially persistent, toxic stress or traumatic incidents - lead to chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease and some types of cancer, as well as depression, alcoholism and drug abuse.

St. Louis and the State of Missouri are being recognized nationally for developing innovative models in response to this research.

This episode provides a glimpse into the first live community conversation about how we can achieve emotional and physical wellness by understanding the health impact of persistent, toxic stress and adverse events.

Leadership from the St. Louis Regional Health Commission explains why stress and trauma is a health care issue, and Bethany Johnson-Javois shares her personal story of trauma, calling all of us to get involved and help develop supportive relationships and communities that can bounce back.

· Adverse events and persistent stress can lead to poor physical health, especially for those who do not have the supports and resources to manages these stressors.

· How do we bounce back? How do we respond to things that happen to us?

· What determines our overall health?

· What can be done about people whose lives are void of support in dealing with stress? How do we help them?

Participants in this conversation are asked how we can expand and accelerate these promising practices by:

Activating individuals, neighborhoods and communities to create safe, supportive relationships that are critical to achieving wellness.

Highlighting the resources that are available and needed for the people of our community to be healthy.

Discussing how we can add to and strengthen existing assets to ensure wellness - both mental and physical - is a core priority of the St. Louis region over the next several years.

You are invited to the table. Visit www.aliveandwellstl.com to connect, create and contribute!