So my husband saw this doll and couldn’t resist getting one. Our children GENUINELY believe this doll is me and they negotiate as to who gets to sleep with her each night. They call her “Mama doll”. Hilarious!
So you know how we've all been struggling, wondering if we are a good-enough parent? This afternoon my 8-year-old slipped some papers under my door while I was working. It was a speech he had to write for school... I completely lost it! Shared with his permission:
Looking forward to rolling up my sleeves as CA's first Surgeon General. Thank you
@GavinNewsom
for your bold vision for health for all Californians.
#preventscreenandheal
!
It’s official! Time to get to work! I’m honored and humbled to be leading the charge in service of healthy children and families in California.
#preventscreenandheal
#CAforall
!
I had a fascinating conversation with Grammy-nominated singer & songwriter and mental health advocate
@camila_cabello
about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and discovering a path toward healing. If you want to hear our full conversation, head to
Today, I am pledging 40 minutes of service to volunteer at my kids' school. Please join me and commit 40 minutes to community service or mentorship. Together, we can contribute to a global wave of compassion and positive change.
#40x40
#CompassionInAction
I graduated in 1996 with a degree in Integrative Biology. To the
@UCBerkeley
Class of 2020, WELCOME to our global community of alumni. Fiat Lux and Go Bears!!!
#CalGrad
Although we’re beginning to move past COVID-19, the mental health effects from the pandemic will linger. I’m proud to be a part of a special free episode of
#TheMeYouCantSee
on
@AppleTV
, to continue to raise awareness & destigmatize the conversation around mental health.
I just took a DNA test, turns out I’m 100% still madly in love with
@ArnoHarris
! Thanks for 9 great years Boo! Here’s to 90 more. Happy Anniversary!
There is no greater joy than raising good human beings. So happy and proud of our high school grads. I pray that the world takes the same loving care of our boys that we have.
I seriously just had a BLAST celebrating women’s history with our history-making
@vp
and a group of truly extraordinary women. Not to mention our very dope Second Gentleman.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), such as being forcibly separated from a parent or caregiver, substantially increase the risk for negative physical and psychological outcomes, both in the short term and later in life.
📢 I am filled with emotion as I share that my last day serving as CA Surgeon General will be February 11. I am incredibly proud to have been part of a team that, together, worked tirelessly to protect the health and well-being of all Californians at such a critical time.
Amazing conversation between Prince Harry and
@daxshepard
about
#ACEs
and why it's so important to care for ourselves.
#TheMeYouCantSee
airs May 21 on
@AppleTV
and for resources on healing from
#ACEs
, check out launching TODAY!
Congratulations
@JoeBiden
for making an excellent choice!!! And, of course, congrats to my friend and our esteemed Senator
@KamalaHarris
who has fought tirelessly for the most vulnerable, especially our children.
This pandemic has impacted us in ways we can’t see. We need to talk about mental health in order to heal.
I’m proud to be part of
#TheMeYouCantSee
, a docuseries by
@Oprah
on the importance of emotional well-being. It comes to
@AppleTV
on May 21:
It is really my charter not only to raise awareness of ACEs and toxic stress as the public health crises they are, but also to convene those who are finding solutions and deploy quality care throughout our great state.
Traumatic events, like forcible separation from a parent, put children at risk for long-term health problems. Environment affects development of brain and immune sys. The harmful conditions documented in federal detention centers are a serious health threat that demands action.
I can't wait for everyone to watch
#TheMeYouCantSee
when it drops on May 21! There has never been a better moment for courageous conversations about
#MentalHealth
. So proud to have contributed to this extraordinary series.
Today I spoke to an audience of medical providers, mental health professionals, early childhood specialists, educators, parents, youth, community workers and everyone in between. In other words, everyone necessary to foster an ACEs revolution in Scotland!
#ACEAwareNation
Listening to
@DaxShepard
and Prince Harry talk about the connection between mental health and physical health on
@ArmchairExpPod
made my year. Thank you, Dax and Prince Harry for sharing your own journeys with mental health and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).
So my 4 year-old and 8 year-old saw that I was having a busy day working from home so they decided to make me “lunch” from ingredients they pulled from our garden: carrots, tomatoes, basil, lemon juice dressing with a strawberry garnish. Made my day!
#SilverLinings
.
Californians must wear face coverings when in public spaces to prevent the spread of
#COVID19
! Make sure your mask covers your nose and mouth and fits snuggly on both sides of your face.
#YourActionsSaveLives
“Unless you fix the trauma that has caused people to be the way they are — literally change the way brains operate if you are in a chaotic environment as a child — unless you fix the trauma, you’re working on the wrong thing."
@Oprah
We need more courageous conversations about the impacts of
#ACEs
and how to break the cycle. Congrats to
@BlackWomenOwn
,
@OWNTV
&
@OZY
for WINNING the
@newsemmy
in the News Discussion and Analysis category. Thank you for creating this space.
California gets its first ever surgeon general via
@KTVU
“My immediate priorities as Surgeon General are going to be addressing ACEs and toxic stress, healthy beginnings, early childhood and health equity, said
@DrBurkeHarris
”
I am beyond thrilled to share Roadmap for Resilience: The CA Surgeon General's Report on ACEs, Toxic Stress and Health. Thank you to everyone who made this report possible.
CA remains on the leading edge of innovative solutions to protect the health & safety of all who call CA home.
@CA_OSG
’s evidence-based solutions & critical insights will serve as a blueprint for better health, well-being & equity.
Roadmap for Resilience:
So, a few days ago, I said in an interview (somewhat tongue-in-cheek) “If you know a public health professional, send them flowers.” Today, I got a gorgeous bouquet from my mother-in-law.
#Seen
#Loved
!
Thank you
@BBC
for talking about
#ACEs
! Looking forward to sharing the latest science and learning from the impressive work being done to make
#Scotland
an
@ACEAwareNation
.
I had the opportunity to sit down with
@MichelMcQMartin
and discuss how ACEs are impacting the health and well-being of our communities and individuals’ long term health. Tune-in to
@AmanpourCoPBS
tonight!
California Surgeon General
@DrBurkeHarris
joins
@MichelMcQMartin
to sound the alarm on what she calls "the public health crisis you didn't know existed."
"When you do testing to that extent, you are going to find more people, you will find more cases. So I said slow the testing down."
—Trump on trying to keep the number of reported COVID cases low
Great work by
@SesameWorkshop
to give organizations the resources they need to address traumatic experiences from a child’s perspective. It’s important work to continue moving towards trauma-informed and trauma-sensitive care for our communities.
Today I honor my beautiful brother Louis Adrian Burke. Louis, missing since 1993, is one of many Californians experiencing a mental health disorder. Happy Birthday big brother. We miss you and we LOVE you. Any leads please contact Berkeley PD.
Conditions in federal detention centers demonstrate disregard for everything the science is telling us about the importance of safe, stable and nurturing relationships and environments for kids.
.
@CAgovernor
@GavinNewsom
just announced a $4B commitment to helping our kids heal from this pandemic with comprehensive child and youth mental health and a focus on PREVENTION! Screening. Early detection. Evidence-based intervention. YES! So proud of this historic investment.
I am honored and grateful to be the recipient of the David G. Nichols Health Equity Award presented by the
@AmerPedSociety
. Now, more than ever, the systems and practices that address the root causes of poor outcomes for our kids must be deployed at scale
Humbled and honored to be of service to all Californians. Toxic Stress IS for the 21st century what infectious diseases were to the 20th century.
#CaliforniaForAll
I am totally swooning over this gorgeous chicken coop my husband built WITH HIS OWN TWO HANDS to commemorate 11 years of marriage. I feel so seen right now. Thank you
@ArnoHarris
!
#TrueLove
!
#HusbandOfTheYear
!!!
How do
#ACEs
and
#ToxicStress
contribute to maternal mortality?
@ACEsAware
is leading the charge to find answers and solutions. Proud to join
@KamalaHarris
’ Black Maternal Health Roundtable.
#HealthEquity
means ensuring all moms and babies have a fair shot at health.
Being separated from parents isn't just momentary trauma - it's disruptive to the biological mechanisms that help kids deal with other traumas. My interview with Vox on the issue:
California has been prepping to vaccinate kids 5-11 for months now and I’m so grateful it’s finally here. If you have questions, I’ve got you covered. Take some time to watch these videos so you can feel confident about getting your kids vaccinated.⤵️
What I love about gardening is that it’s inherently both meditative and optimistic. It’s simultaneously about the present and the future. Today, these poppies just lit me up.
.
@DrDevikaB
was open with me about her bipolar diagnosis before I hired her as Chief Medical Officer for the Office of the CA Surgeon General. Now she shares her story with the world. Devika, thank you for your courage. Mental health is health.
I'm CA's Acting Surgeon General. Today, I'd like to publicly share my journey with bipolar disorder.
Stigma festers in the dark and scatters in the light.
By speaking out, I hope to help dispel stigma. To help anyone struggling know they’re not alone — and to have hope. 1/
Thank you
@Oprah
for sharing the science of the long-term health impacts of childhood trauma! This issue will take all of us to address - and strong voices help us move this critical work forward!!
…
@CBSNews
Many of us have wondered if this variant may have played a role in CA's rapid surge. Scientists working on CA’s genomic sequencing project detected this variant.
We'll need more information to know conclusively but we are tracking closely.
Wow. A fantastic piece by
@oprah
#60Minutes
on understanding the important impacts of childhood trauma on children. To learn more about how
#ACEs
and
#toxicstress
impact children's brains and bodies, visit
This year, for Halloween, we decided to do a scavenger hunt in the back yard. The little ones were dressed as Mulan and Luke Skywalker. I was, obviously, Lando Calrissian.
I’ll never forget walking out onto that stage. 2500 people all ready to do their part to be
#ACEsAware
and
#BreakTheCycle
. The energy was incredible! Let us never underestimate our power to change the world!
I cannot count the number of times I have been call “articulate”. Even in my role as California’s 1st Surgeon General. Oddly, my white husband has never gotten that same “compliment”. Be better people!!!
Simone Biles’ legacy will be one marked by strength, courage, and grace. Thank you,
@Simone_Biles
, for your vulnerability in prioritizing mental AND physical health.
#MentalHealthMatters
Breaking News: Simone Biles said she withdrew from the women’s gymnastics team final because she wasn’t in a good place mentally to compete after so much pressure to win. It is not clear whether she will compete in her individual events.
10 years ago today, the devastating earthquake in Haiti hit.
@MSF_USA
(Doctors w/o Borders) estimates 220,000-300,000 lost their lives. Millions were displaced. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to to give my time and training to help save lives. I'll never forget.
This is what breaking the intergenerational cycle of adversity looks like!
So thrilled to launch
@ACEsAware
. Health care providers can now take the 2-hour training to begin screening for ACEs at
#ScreenTreatHeal
#CaliforniaForAll
I am so pleased to be joining the
@First5CA
commission as incoming chair! My thanks to outgoing chair
@GCHalvorson
for your leadership. Excited to roll up my sleeves with the amazing team and fellow commissioners to improve the lives of children and families throughout CA.
“Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane” -MLK 1966. Grateful to work every day to end health inequities as CA’s 1st Surgeon General.
#Health4All
#Ca4All
SO PROUD of our beautiful boys on their graduation day! My greatest gratification is seeing the amazing young men our boys have become.
#ProudMama
@harris_paulos
Reading the original ACEs study led to one of the most important “aha” moments of my life. Traumatic life events are directly linked to our overall health & the more we understand, the better we can do right by our kids. We are on a path toward healing.
Reading the original ACEs study led to one of my most important “aha” moments of my life. Traumatic life events are directly linked to our overall health & the more we understand that, the better we can do right by our kids. We are on a path toward healing.
Did I mention gardening is my side hustle? I love snap peas as a great snack for kids, plus a nice little decoration for the table.
#GardeningAsTherapy
.
If ACEs go unidentified and untreated they have the potential to lead to serious health consequences.
But you can help change that trajectory. Your first step in prevention is to understand your own ACEs and how they may be affecting you.
@mynumberstory
.
California is taking bold strides to invest in prevention. In Jan 2020 we’ll be implementing routine screening for Adverse Childhood Experiences for all children and adults on Medi-Cal so that we can do early detection and early intervention to address root causes.
Dr. Mark Ghaly, CA HHS Secretary announces that CA's hospitalization rate is running at the low end of the possible predicted outcomes. WE ARE DOING IT! Keep it going Californians.
#FlattenTheCurve
#StayHomeSaveLives
!
Help prevent
#ACEs
by supporting community programs and policies that provide safe and healthy conditions for all children and families. Connecting CDC reports with the efforts here in California!
#VitalSigns
#ACEsAware
#CaliforniaForAll