Remember who you Are: “Healing Self Identity Disease.” | Hannah Cross | TEDxOgden

As a mental health therapist for incarcerated young men, Hannah Cross has observed what she terms "a self-identity sickness that happens within the walls of the facilities that house our delinquent youth.” This self-identity disease is perpetuated by the current approach to corrections in the United States and can be contrasted with traditions of indigenous tribes that are based on the idea that remembrance of one’s true identity and connection to community are the antidotes to criminal behavior. In this talk, she offers solutions for healing self-perception, not only of incarcerated youth, as healing self-perception has a ripple effect from one individual to others. She says, "When we define ourselves as human beings who make correctable, even useful mistakes, that is how we act, as opposed to acting like ‘bad kids.’” Drawing from experience in mental health therapy, addiction recovery, and the teachings of A Course in Miracles, she suggests specific interventions that work on self-identity, including mindfulness and trauma-focused therapies. Hannah is also a hot yoga instructor and student of A Course in Miracles and botanical medicine. Her approach to her work is holistic, integrating Eastern and Western philosophies of wellness.
The title of her work is: “Self-acceptance as the foundation for treatment of juvenile offenders”

Aspects of the current juvenile justice system and beliefs held by society-at-large perpetuate lifelong incarceration for many youths that enter the system. Treatment of juvenile offenders with a focus on self-acceptance and mindfulness assist in moving towards the goal of reconnection with self and community. This approach must start with helping professionals healing their own self-perception in order to help juvenile offenders maneuver through a system ill-equipped to handle self-identity disease. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx