What if we could build resilience before trauma leads to crisis?
On this episode of Navigate with Nadine, host Nadine Wilches sits down with Ken Huey, CEO of The Hope Group and Havenwood Academy, to explore trauma, adverse childhood experiences, resilience, and the systems that can help people change their trajectory.
Drawing on more than 25 years in mental and behavioral healthcare, Ken shares how his understanding of trauma shaped both his personal life and professional career. He explains why adverse experiences do not have to determine a person's future and how protective relationships, mentorship, and consistent positive experiences can help people build healthier patterns.
Nadine and Ken discuss the opportunity to move mental healthcare further upstream — from responding to symptoms and crises to intentionally creating environments that strengthen resilience. They explore the role of schools, after-school programs, community organizations, clinicians, technology, and supportive adults in building a stronger preventive infrastructure.
The conversation also examines the challenges of reaching people who cannot or do not access traditional mental health services, the importance of collaboration across behavioral healthcare, and where technology and AI may fit within the future of prevention and care.
Ken closes with a powerful reminder: change is possible, and you do not have to be a clinician to make a difference. Sometimes consistently showing up as a caring, connected person can change the direction of someone's life.
