The poem explains the how the fight or flight stress response may not switch off in those exposed to adverse childhood experiences but that young people can learn new ways to cope without turning to drink or drugs. It’s backed up with a workbook for young people and training for professionals in using the resources in their day-to-day practice.

Professional training on using the resources is now available in Salford and will be available across the rest of Greater Manchester from January. Training dates will be advertised on Local Safeguarding Board websites and via www.earlybreak.co.uk and participants will be able to take the film and workbooks back to their agencies.

It’s the result of a collaboration between Salford Community Safety Partnership, substance misuse charity Early Break, charity Salford Foundation, Salford Youth Justice service and academics from Edge Hill and Manchester Metropolitan universities.

Early Break director Janine Day said the project is aimed at building resilience skills in young people and steering them away from alcohol or drug use which could exacerbate problems in their lives.

“Contributing to this project has helped the young people who took part understand there are better ways to cope and using alcohol or drugs can lead to even more problems,” she said.

“Young people were at the centre of the project from the very start and came up with the idea of an animation to engage other young people. Using a trauma-informed approach workers discussed the challenges of adolescence, their views on substance misuse, including cannabinoids and crime and what interventions, skills and resources helped them cope and build resilience and which might do the same for other young people.”

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For more information about booking onto workshops please email info@earlybreak.co.uk using the subject heading Stressed Out Brain.

You can view a 30 second clip of the film here https://vimeo.com/758542291

(please use password EARLYBREAK)