In this Bell Work Talk, Dr. Clements discusses the traumatic responses – both obvious and subtle – that repeated exposure to current national events (shootings at schools, hospitals, churches, places of employment) can have on the daily lives of those exposed directly or through ongoing media coverage. He discusses the importance of a significant shift toward providing self-care and care for others (especially children) to minimize traumatic affective impact and to maintain healthy daily living.

Dr. Paul Thomas Clements is a forensic psychiatric clinical specialist, a Certified Gang Specialist, and Certified in Danger Assessment. Clements has provided hospital consultation for EMT’s, Child Protective Agency personnel, trauma/emergency nurses, psychiatric providers, hospital systems, and corporate executives - each regarding vulnerability risk assessment, bullying, and decreasing the number of violent incidents in the workplace. Clements has three textbooks: Violence against women: Contemporary examination of intimate partner violence, Mental health issues in child maltreatment, and Nursing approach to the evaluation of child maltreatment. Additionally, he currently has a forthcoming book: Gender violence across the spectrum: A trauma-informed approach.

Dr. Clements has numerous peer review publications and conference presentations regarding stress, trauma, violence and aggression, coping after violent death, safety promotion, and exposure to interpersonal violence and crime. Clements has also spent time in Bolivia, working with provincial judges, prosecutors and forensic psychologists regarding enhanced assessment and intervention with children victimized by sexual aggression and other forms of violence.

Clements holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Forensic Psychiatric Nursing from The University of Pennsylvania with research and clinical practice that have examined the traumatic presentations and behaviors of children exposed to the homicide of a family member or other forms of violent crime and death. Clements was inducted as a Distinguished Fellow in the International Association of Forensic Nurses in 2002, and more recently, as a Distinguished Fellow in the Academy of Forensic Nurses in 2021.

Resources:

Disaster distress helpline 1-822-985-5990

https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline