Area doctor set to lead lecture series at The War Memorial
GROSSE POINTE FARMS Feb. 3, 2025 – Her hope is that the lectures aren't just informative, but also interactive.
As part of The War Memorial’s commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, Dr. Judy Jacobs will lead a two-part lecture series titled “Conflict and Healing.” As part of the series, Jacobs will explore the impact of trauma and the journey toward resilience.
“I’ll share some things to do to have a brighter outlook on your life,” she said. “Our veterans have also been good at taking care of themselves and socializing with each other. I want them to share their experiences. Everyone has experiences and I think there is a lot to talk about.”
Jacobs, PhD, RN, LPC, is a highly respected expert in trauma psychology, crisis intervention, and workplace violence prevention, bringing decades of experience as a nurse, counselor, and educator to her work.
“I taught at Central Michigan University for 17 years and at Oakland University,” she said. “I still am a mental health therapist, certified in trauma. It’s been a long career.”
Speaking about the lecture series at The War Memorial, Jacobs said the first one, The Psychology of Trauma on Feb. 23 at 2 p.m., is about traumatic stress and how it impacts the body.
“I’ll talk about how it plays out and changes the brain chemistry,” she said. “When you’re faced with a trauma of any sort, you go into fight or flight mode. It can stay for a long period of time, like for veterans and those in high-stress situations like first responders. Even nurses and healthcare workers are at a high stress level and eventually it takes a major effect on your brain and body.”
Jacobs, who has a strong background in clinical and crisis care, will share some ways to cope with changes so that folks can enjoy their lives.
“Stress can cause heart disease and cancers and auto immune diseases, and some people tend to turn to alcohol or drugs to try to quiet their brains down,” she said. “They self-medicate, but there are other ways of doing it.”
In March, Jacobs returns to the nonprofit organization for part two: Managing the Stressors of the Day on March 16 at 2 p.m.
“Since COVID and the isolation that we went through, it was a very stressful situation,” she said. “We’ll talk about brain rot caused by social media, because a lot of people turn to social media to connect and unfortunately people believe that if they are texting somebody, I’m actually talking or communicating with them, which really doesn’t count.”
In regard to managing stress, Jacobs said that the mind, body, and soul connection is vital.
“What are you doing with your body? Are you eating properly and drinking enough water?” she commented. “Are you getting out and socializing?”
As it relates to veterans, especially Vietnam War veterans, Jacobs said they were introduced to Agent Orange, a chemical herbicide used by U.S. force during the conflict.
“You had a lot of people coming back with substance abuse disorders and you see a lot of Agent Orange diseases,” she said. “It is about coping, but also the family members coping. Vietnam veterans are all in their upper age stages of life, so that can they do to enjoy their life?”
For more information on the lecture series and to register, visit here.
About The War Memorial
The War Memorial, located on the shores of Lake St. Clair in Grosse Pointe Farms, is an experiential space open to everyone. For over 75 years, this nonprofit organization has served as a patriotic, cultural, and community center, offering a wide range of innovative programs for all ages. Annually, The War Memorial welcomes thousands of guests for community events, educational programming, and private gatherings in its unique and historic setting. At its core, The War Memorial celebrates the ideas of American democracy while honoring those who have defended these ideals with tireless effort and personal sacrifice. As a dynamic and forward-thinking hub for southeast Michigan, The War Memorial remains committed to inspiring and enriching the community through unparalleled experiences.
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CONTACT:
Alex Szwarc, The War Memorial
Manager of Communications and Marketing
313.881.7514, aszwarc@warmemorial.org