FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Center for Mind-Body Medicine
Global Trauma Relief
www.cmbm.org
US Contact: Cynthia Phillips +1(602)501-1851 cphillips@channelg.tv
Onsite Haiti Contact: Lee-Ann Gallarano +1(202)665-0154
February 21, 2012
UPDATED WITH DR. GORDON’S IN-COUNTRY SCHEDULE
CMBM Trains Haiti’s Healthcare Professionals in Trauma Relief
JACMEL, Haiti The Center for Mind-Body Medicine’s (CMBM) Global Trauma Relief Program travels to Jacmel, Haiti, February 22-26, 2012 to teach 120 health care providers how to use CMBM’s effective, research-backed mind-body techniques to reduce the symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder.
CMBM’s 5-day training is part of their national plan to address population-wide stress and trauma resulting from the 2010 earthquake, poverty, and political turmoil.
Haitian healthcare providers, education professionals and community leaders will learn CMBM’s small group approach, which integrates aspects of mind-body medicine (meditation, guided imagery, biofeedback, yoga) with self-expression (in words, drawing and movement).
The Jacmel program builds on CMBM’s previous success the region. In 2010, CMBM trained 120 clinicians and developed a 15-member, local Leadership Team in Port-au-Prince.
Speaking on the success of CMBM’s approach in Haiti, Bishop Andre Dumas states, “”We all believe that with the problems that we are encountering, each and everyone of us should do something that will allow us to be in harmony with ourselves…and with others. This is why this [CMBM] experience is for everyone.”
Global Trauma Relief
CMBM’s Global Trauma Relief program, led by James S. Gordon, M.D., CMBM founder and director, has traveled the world to relieve population-wide trauma resulting from wars and disasters since 1996.
Dr. Gordon states, “The Center for Mind-Body Medicine is now celebrating its 20th Anniversary. Our work in Global Trauma Relief reaches hundreds of thousands who have been traumatized by war and natural disasters. I am especially proud to work with the people of Haiti in rebuilding their lives and restoring hope for the future.”
Dr. Gordon, a Harvard educated psychiatrist, is a world-renowned expert in using mind-body medicine to heal depression, anxiety, and psychological trauma. His most recent book is Unstuck: Your Guide to the Seven Stage Journey Out of Depression (Penguin Press).
Research
CMBM’s most recent study, published in the International Journal of Stress Management, shows that Mind-Body Skills Groups reduced the symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in war-traumatized Palestinian children and adolescents by 80%.
In spite of ongoing conflict and severe economic hardship, these gains were largely maintained at a seven-month follow-up.
Dr. Gordon’s schedule in Haiti post-training
Feb 28, 2012
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Workshop with FOKAL (Foundation for Knowledge & Liberty), Port-au- Prince http://fokal.org/en/
2:00 p.m.
Meetings with group participants to hear about how the program has helped them.
Feb 29, 2012
8:00 a.m.
Visit to public school in downtown that has very high levels of trauma and violence among the children. CMBM is running groups with the children.
Afternoon
Home visits in Delmas to group participants.
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