Community education
Applying Mental Health for Community Good
Ardent Grove is proud to be able to do our part in assisting the greater community with the second wing of our foundation and clinic which focuses on community education and support. We are available for trainings, workshops and presentations that are free of charge for any organization, large or small, that is looking to broaden their understanding and enhance mental health services and support.
We have been invited to speak at schools, parent groups, faith communities, community centers, library systems, mental health conferences, and at other interested organizations on topics such as:
- Trauma-informed interpersonal approaches
- Identifying signs and symptoms of trauma/vicarious trauma
- Parenting during the pandemic
- Pregnancy and Postpartum
- Facilitating healthy attachment
- Managing stressors
- Addressing crisis situations such as with school violence
- Improving social-emotional understanding
- Valuing self-care
At this time, we are providing all presentations via remote platforms. We are hoping to get back to in person events when restrictions ease and safety allows.
Resilience Project: School Violence
Trauma is on both sides of school violence events.
The greater Denver area has been at the center of this new phenomena of school-centered violence, beginning with the shooting at Columbine High School in 1999 and continuing through the shooting at STEM Highlands Ranch 20 years later. This year Denver was also targeted by someone who travelled here specifically to perpetrate a school shooting - this unfortunate legacy has made our community even more vulnerable violence. It was these recent events and recognition of the human tendency to move on and forget that made us realize that as trauma specialists we have a unique and important role to play in our community.
Trauma has been shown to be one of the risk factors to school violence as is a lack of mental health intervention. There is evidence that mental health awareness and response is an important part of preventing events of school violence. Of course, we also need trauma awareness after an incident of school violence as each incident (or even threat) leaves the mark of trauma on many children, teachers, and parents.
Traumatic situations such as school violence and other life-threatening acts against children and adults continue to impact our community. We look back at our experiences and work to support parents, teachers, and other community members who need to be better equipped to take care of themselves and to speak with their children about understanding, recognizing, and preventing violence through knowledge and improved mental health care. Looking forward we need to increase stress management techniques, self-care for all ages, and understanding of when to be afraid, when to react, and when to enjoy life with security. Ardent Grove presenters will help adults to recognize and address signs of trauma in themselves and children.
Ardent Grove's Resilience Project engages in community outreach in the form of presentations and discussions that focuses on trauma awareness, concerns of children, parents, and other adults, and directly addresses school violence using psycho-education in social-emotional awareness and resilience for all ages.
A typical community event under the Resilience Project includes two discussions:
- One with parents and other adults that address how they might feel safe for themselves and also in caring for children in this current climate of possible violence in schools. Additionally we discuss how to recognize the effects of trauma and responses in adults and children.
- Simultaneously, the second discussion is focused on helping children to develop language and identification of social-emotional needs in themselves and their friends. In this discussion we provide different activities for children focused on empathy and kindness and identifying feelings.
We attempt to provide these two discussions simultaneously in order to help to avoid one possible barrier to obtaining mental health support through difficulties with childcare. By offering the social-emotional component for children in the form of teaching and childcare, we hope that more adults can attend the larger, community discussion and the children can learn skills for themselves for their own mental wellness.
Learn More
"...by educating parents to identify unresolved trauma, their new knowledge will serve as a layer of protection to the community. "
Please contact us if you are interested in being involved with the Resilience Project or if you would like the Ardent Grove Foundation to come present.
Trauma Due to pandemic
Contact us to make a request support for your organization
We are living in an uncertain time and are all dealing with an increase in stress. We have heard from so many people in our community- doctors, medical professionals, birth professionals, clients, and even just friends and family about the overwhelm people are feeling. We can help with many of the big topics that are often coming up for people around the increased stress we are feeling due to covid-19 and other current events. Including:
Anxiety and Depression
Burn out
Parenting In a Pandemic
Relationship Issues
Trauma triggers
Stress and Overwhelm
Please reach out to Jennifer Kloewer, Marketing Director, jenn.kloewer@ardentgrove.org if you would like more information or are interested in scheduling a more personalized talk for your organization.
We are happy to address any mental health related issues that may be arising, from vicarious trauma and burnout to self-care and stress management and any other topics that would improve health and well-being for our community.
Past presentations
US Bank Women’s Business Resource Group
Provided a talk on how to support yourself and a Healthy Life During the Pandemic.
Push Revolution
Dr. Courtney Klein was a guest on the Push Revolution Podcast, speaking on The Mental Weight of the COVID Pandemic and it's toll on perinatal and postpartum mental health. Listen here.
The Nursing Nook
Provided a talk on Attachment Parenting.
Westerly Creek Elementary
Spoke on Mental Wellness at Westerly Creek and how the ongoing pandemic is affecting students and families
Broomfield Public Library
Presented to the library staff on Mental Health Awareness with Trauma-Informed Approach and how it may impact interactions with clientele.
Broomfield Public Library
Provided a 4-week presentation for parents on Tools for Coping with Stress during the pandemic that included an overview of what trauma looks like, skills and coping techniques for stress management, modeling self care for children, and how to cope with grief and loss.
AGF Annual Fundraiser
Our Lunch and Learn Panel and fundraiser focused on Resiliency and Strength 2020 and we provided free blogs, skills and coping tools, speakers, and provided comic relief from Adam Cayton-Holland and music from Andy Thomas and Jen GaNun of Lost Walks and Dust Heart.
AGF Stress Management Series
Provided a free Stress Management Series highlighting issues during the pandemic including: Coping with Stress, Trauma Prevention, Parenting Tips, Grief and Loss
DU Morgridge College of Education
Gave a talk to teachers and other educators on Trauma and School Violence.
Safe Spaces Summit
As part of our Resilience Project we gave a presentation to teachers and other educators on Coping with Trauma and School Violence.