On May 3, the SCI Albion Suicide Prevention Committee sponsored an inmate presentation entitled "Voices Behind the Wall." This presentation focused on Post-Traumatic Strength Development, a newer concept in research which describes how individuals who have experienced trauma can actually experience positive changes in their lives and become stronger. The term "post-traumatic growth" refers to positive psychological change experienced as a result of the struggle with highly-challenging life circumstances. Forms of post-traumatic growth discussed in the presentation include new possibilities, appreciation of life, an improved ability to relate to others, increased personal strength and positive spiritual changes. The ACE's (Adverse Childhood Experiences) study was also addressed, which describes how stressful/traumatic events that occur early in a child's life or through chronic exposure affect an individual throughout their lifespan and often lead to early alcohol/substance abuse, suicide attempts, depressive episodes, poor school performance, criminal behavior and increased probability of further trauma.
Inmates from the Inside Out group presented their personal testimonials of past traumatic experiences and described how these experiences contributed to later positive growth in their lives. In addition to inmate group participants speaking, Dr. Pugh from Edinboro University and Dr. Caswell from Gannon University also offered insight into the topics of resiliency and trauma. Additionally, Ms. Thomas from the Erie Crime Victim Center defined trauma and conducted an overview of what trauma is. She also described the ACE's study.
Over 100 inmates were in attendance at the presentation including the entire Co-Occurring Therapeutic Community (COTC), all Certified Peer Specialist workers (CPS), Peer Mentor Program participants, Special Needs Unit (SNU) Mental Health Peer group members, juvenile lifers and numerous other inmates from the population.