Through this, individuals can learn to be less reactive to the pain, are able to regulate emotions better, and are more confident in their ability to cope despite the circumstance.

It is an inherent capacity that is cultivated and strengthened by mental training through the mindfulness practices.

Mindfulness is not about solving or avoiding problems, but rather supports a turning toward difficult experiences and staying grounded in the present. African Americans and Latinos who have been or are currently exposed to stress and trauma are in need of culturally appropriate interventions including mindfulness as well as other forms of integrative and complementary medicine.Īmong individuals who have experienced gun violence, what little evidence there is suggests that mindfulness-based programs may be particularly helpful due to their strength-based approach to drawing on inner resources for promoting healing. Importantly, given the disproportionate impact of violence on low income communities of color, it is imperative that studies address the cultural acceptability, appropriateness, and impact of these interventions on the mental, emotional, physical and social health of low income communities of color. 4 Research is needed to improve our understanding of effective and cost effective interventions to promote psychological resilience and emotion regulation/distress tolerance in individuals exposed to violence. 3 Homicide has widespread negative sequelae touching all facets of survivors’ lives. 2 The homicide forces survivors to be fearful and lose confidence. 1 This paper recounts our efforts to promote coping and healing for homicide survivors and service providers specializing in providing support, counseling and other services to this population through testing the feasibility and acceptability of a low cost mind-body intervention at a community based service provider in Boston.Ī recent systematic review of the research of the impact of homicide on survivors or co-victims of homicide found consistent evidence for elevated rates of anxiety, depression, rage, and guilt.

Survivors of homicide - the surviving family, friends and loved ones of individuals killed - are often considered co-victims. Coverage of violent acts against people of color on the television and the internet are all too often lived and retold by the “Survivors” of the violence. have disproportionately and historically been victims of racism and violence.

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