Keynote: Gabor Mate

Kids in Chaos: Recognizing the Consequences of Impaired Attachments and Fostering Resilience

This presentation outlines the mental health implications of early childhood emotional loss, whether due to abuse, trauma, or the loss of parental attunement with the child owing to stress on the parenting environment. The presentation will address resilience and its promotion as a function of attachment, as the promotion of resilience at any age depends primarily on nurturing emotional relationships, in our homes, child-care institutions, schools and health facilities. The presentation will also address the role of medicalized birth practices and of behaviorally-oriented parenting practices.