Mindbridge Insights: Building Resiliency Within A Polarized Landscape
October 2024 Updates
Dear Mindbridge Community,
As the upcoming American election draws near, the urgency to take part in the democratic process has never been greater. It is easy to feel divided in this time of intense polarization because we are, in fact, living through profound societal dissonance. Yet, it is precisely in moments of difficulty and uncertainty that hope emerges as a force for change. As psychologist, Dan J. Tomasulo reminds us, "Unique among all the positive emotions, hope requires some degree of dissonance, difficulty, negativity, or uncertainty to be ignited."
At Mindbridge, we believe that by harnessing hope, alongside the insights of science, we can bridge divides and create a future rooted in justice and human rights.
This Fall, we are proud to offer a series of live, interactive courses designed to help you navigate difficult conversations and build resilience in an increasingly polarized landscape. Whether you’re learning de-escalation techniques, protecting the well-being of human rights defenders, or supporting loved ones against extremist ideologies, these courses bring the best of neuroscience and psychology to the forefront, turning hope into action.
As we approach the election, we encourage you to embrace the power of hope and possibility. By voting, engaging in the democratic process, and standing up for human rights, we can create a future where everyone belongs. Together, through science and hope, we can unlock the potential for transformation.
Onward.
- Laura Ligouri
Mindbridge Executive Director
Program Spotlight: The Mindbridge Institute
In the world of the Institute, we have been enjoying the balance of working with our amazing clients and developing a series of live, interactive courses for this Fall 2024. These courses are designed to help you navigate difficult conversations, build resilience, and foster understanding in an increasingly polarized world.
In Virtual Peacekeeping: De-Escalation Techniques for Digital Discussions, you’ll learn practical de-escalation techniques and methods to navigate heated discussions grounded in psychology. This course is designed to equip community leaders, social justice advocates, and civil society members with essential de-escalation skills for digital spaces to create calm and productive dialogue. We’ll be offering this as a free, 50 minute course with sessions in October, November, and December.
In the high-stakes world of human rights advocacy, the well-being of defenders is often overlooked—yet it plays a crucial role in the success of campaigns. In our course, Healing the Frontline: Mental Health Tools for Human Rights Advocates, we examine how unchecked stress, trauma, and burnout can undermine your team’s well-being, while also jeopardizing your organization’s mission and success. We’ll also provide practical self-care strategies grounded in the latest neuropsychology and examine organizational approaches to fostering a supportive, resilient work environment.
Lastly, we’re excited to share our course, Bridging Divides: Supporting Loved Ones Against Extremist Ideologies. In our increasingly polarized world, it can be both confusing and distressing when someone close to you begins to adopt extreme beliefs. This live, online course, is designed to help community members understand the dangers of extremist thinking, and offer strategies for engaging in respectful, constructive conversation. We’ll examine how extremist beliefs spread, how to identify early warning signs, and how to offer support to loved ones while also challenging harmful ideas.
To learn more or sign up for our Fall 2024 offerings, please click the link below
I am a Human Rights Defender
Professor Krysten T. Gorrivan (M.S. Ed.)
Krysten Gorrivan is an Assistant Teaching Professor of Education within the University of New England’s College of Arts & Sciences (CAS). A former elementary educator, Gorrivan teaches multiple undergraduate courses to aspiring Maine K-12 educators, including Trauma Responsive Education. Gorrivan strongly believes in the importance of focusing on the socioemotional needs of schoolchildren to create safe and inclusive learning environments.
At the forefront of this work is how to educate the whole child, and recognize signs of trauma. Gorrivan teaches that when young students are in active trauma (stemming from a variety of sources, such as a difficult home environment), their amygdala produces a state of “fight, flight, or freeze”. While this part of the brain is responsible for a variety of attributes, Gorrivan highlights the amygdala’s relevance in emotional processing and memory - if children are in this heightened state, learning and comprehension within the classroom become extremely difficult.
Her Trauma Responsive Education course not only prepares future educators to note the signs of trauma in their classroom, but how to respond to the “whole child” and foster an educational environment that is inclusive, supportive, and makes students feel safe.
I feel like I am on a mission to share the message that we all have an innate need to belong. As the adults in the room, it is our responsibility to create an environment where every child is supported, valued, and celebrated for who they are. This is what I try to model for my students and the message I instill in them; they are enough just as they are
Happenings & Events
The Mindbridge Institute is so excited to announce their upcoming 45-min class offerings! We have three coming up in the next month, with more offerings in November and December. Visit our website to see the full list!
10/15 FREE Virtual Peacekeeping: De-Escalation Techniques for Digital Discussions
11/6 FREE Virtual Peacekeeping: De-Escalation Techniques for Digital Discussions
11/7 Healing the Frontline: Mental Health Tools for Human Rights Advocates ($45)
The Mindbridge Center is also excited to be attending the 2024 Conference for North Carolina’s Nonprofits (@ncnonprofits) next week on October 23rd!
Mindbridge Executive Director and Founder, Laura Ligouri, will be presenting on October 23rd, along with our E-Learning Specialist Andrea Marzilli! Come visit our session "Neuroscience of Implicit Bias: Cutting-Edge Strategies for Non-Profit Leaders" at 2:15 PM! Register here!
In Other News
In southern Maine, Community Change Inc is conducting an inclusive walking tour in Biddeford and Sac on October 27th from 1-4 PM. This program is designed to support communities in telling stories directly from community members. Biddeford/Saco Racial Justice is partnering on this experience. To learn more, visit their social media.
Also, MYAN (Maine Youth Action Network) is excited to share that their Maine Youth Leadership Conference is open for registration until October 21st! The conference will take place in Augusta Civic Center on November 14-15th, 2024. Register here!
The Maine Boys to Men Training Institute is also running a multi-day training series in their Reducing Sexism and Violence Program (RSVP®). Upcoming trainings are taking place in South Paris (October 30-31st) and Portland, Maine (December 5-6th). To learn more, visit their website.
We are also very excited to shout out a recent article by Mindbridge Board Member Leo Hylton, “Shining Light on Humanity: DEI: In Word or Deed?”, published in the Bollard last month.
Finally, the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Conference, hosted by Inclusion Maine, is currently open for registration! The conference takes place in Portland (ME) from February 11th-13th, 2025. Register here to learn more.