Latest news with #traumarecovery
Associated Press
4 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Joshua Banks Launches Zero Percent Impossible Movement to Help Youth and Educators Turn Trauma into Purpose
Joshua Banks, founder of Zero Percent Impossible, is using his powerful personal story of overcoming educational neglect and trauma to help students, teachers, and families heal, grow, and lead lives of purpose. United States, August 6, 2025 -- Joshua Banks' Journey of Redemption Becomes a National Movement: Zero Percent Impossible - A Story That Defies the Odds Joshua Banks' personal story is one of the most remarkable comebacks in modern America. After missing nearly a decade of school due to educational neglect, surviving childhood abuse, and growing up in poverty, he entered high school at age 14 with only a third-grade education. Despite the odds, Banks rose to become a high school graduate, a two-time state championship athlete, a successful entrepreneur, and a national voice for youth mental health, education reform, and trauma recovery. His journey has become more than a personal triumph—it has sparked a nationwide movement inspiring thousands to believe that healing and success are still possible. The Birth of Zero Percent Impossible Zero Percent Impossible is more than a motivational brand—it's a movement rooted in real-life transformation. Banks founded it to give others the message he once needed to hear: your past doesn't determine your future. Through his nonprofit, the Graduate Anyways Foundation, Banks delivers school assemblies, teacher support programs, and community-based storytelling events that bring hope into classrooms and conversations. His core message?'Your trauma is not where the story ends—it's where purpose begins.'The name Zero Percent Impossible reflects his unshakable belief: no matter the circumstance, change is possible—and purpose is within reach. Expanding Impact: From Classrooms to Communities Banks' work goes far beyond the stage. He has served directly in group homes, juvenile detention centers, and orphanages, often with no budget—just relentless passion. His presence is known for being authentic, deeply personal, and life-giving to those who need it most. Whether speaking at schools, churches, or national conferences, Banks delivers raw and relevant messages that reach across generations. From young students to overworked educators and even business leaders, his message of resilience resonates wherever he goes. In addition to speaking, the foundation supports advocacy for youth mental health, suicide prevention, and trauma-informed practices in education. This dual approach—personal storytelling plus systemic change—is at the heart of Zero Percent Impossible 's growing impact. A Voice That Breaks Through the Noise What sets Joshua Banks apart is not just what he's overcome—it's how he shows up. He's not reciting theories; he's lived the pain, the confusion, and the breakthrough. His unique background in both entrepreneurship and mental health allows him to connect with a wide audience in a way that's deeply relatable. 'This isn't just a speech—it's a movement,' Banks says. 'I've lived with fear and doubt. I've fed the kids, put them to bed, and been the space they could scream at. Now, I'm here to show others they can rise too.' His message has echoed far beyond school walls—reaching venues like the NAMI Mental Health Conference and institutions like the University of Oklahoma. With every story he tells, more people realize they're not alone—and their pain has a purpose. The Future of Zero Percent Impossible As Zero Percent Impossible continues to grow, its mission stays grounded: to ignite purpose in those who feel forgotten and to equip educators, students, and families with tools to thrive. The Graduate Anyways Foundation remains at the forefront of this mission, deepening its reach through events, training, and advocacy. Banks is helping change the national conversation around trauma—not with buzzwords, but with real stories, practical hope, and a vision for what's possible when someone refuses to give up. About Joshua Banks and Zero Percent Impossible Joshua Banks is the founder of Zero Percent Impossible, a national movement helping people overcome trauma and discover their purpose. His nonprofit, The Graduate Anyways Foundation, provides free educational assemblies, mental health support, and community programming focused on healing and resilience. Through his hands-on experience, bold storytelling, and deep compassion, Banks continues to inspire people across the country to believe that their story is far from over. Media Contact Josh Banks Founder of Zero Percent Impossible Email: [email protected] Website Instagram Donation Link Contact Info: Name: Josh Banks Email: Send Email Organization: Zero Percent Impossible Website: Release ID: 89166567 Should any problems, inaccuracies, or doubts arise from the content contained within this press release, we kindly request that you inform us immediately by contacting [email protected] (it is important to note that this email is the authorized channel for such matters, sending multiple emails to multiple addresses does not necessarily help expedite your request). Our dedicated team will promptly address your concerns within 8 hours, taking necessary steps to rectify identified issues or assist with the removal process. Providing accurate and dependable information is at the core of our commitment to our readers.
Associated Press
6 days ago
- Health
- Associated Press
Chaddock, a 175 Year Old Organization, Launches a Book Publishing Company to Help Kids and Families
Chad the Cougar and the Forest of Feelings is the first in a series of children's books and research based publications that draw on Chaddock's almost two centuries of success with children and families in crisis New York, Aug. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- After almost two centuries of remarkable work, Chaddock, an organization dedicated to helping build healthy families and improve the lives of children everywhere, has launched Chaddock Books. Located in Quincy, IL, Chaddock is an internationally recognized leader in the treatment of children suffering from the psychological, emotional, and spiritual effects of significant abuse, neglect, and trauma. Chaddock's full range of preventative, educational and treatment services to children from birth to age 21 and their families include community-based services, a special education school, in-home intensive programs, residential treatment, and professional development opportunities for child-serving professionals. In the first Chaddock Book, Chad the Cougar and the Forest of Feelings, Chad learns from a wise owl that sometimes the best reaction to someone's anger or angst is no reaction at all. Instead, just be with them and be a listening ear. This series of books stands apart because it's grounded in real, evidence-informed interventions used at Chaddock every day. These are not just fictional tools or strategies—they are practices that work for children who've experienced developmental trauma and attachment disruptions, but they will also be helpful for any child. The books reflect the relational approach we teach and model, where healing happens through connection, presence, and understanding. 'Our hope is that parents and teachers and counselors of all kinds will be able to use Chaddock books as a resource to help them do their best work and start important conversations that lead to healing,' Says Chaddock CEO, Matt Obert. For more information about Chaddock and its services, visit . View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Chaddock
ABC News
10-06-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Psychiatric patients don't know where to turn as Toowong Private Hospital gets set to close its doors
Cain Chambers knows he would not be alive if it wasn't for Toowong Private Hospital. Warning: This story contains details that may trouble some readers. The Australian Army veteran of 13 years was admitted there after his wife found him passed out on their front lawn, in 2022. and rushed him to hospital. Mr Chambers loved serving in the army but says he suffered from PTSD as the result of an incident that occurred during a training exercise where he witnessed a young man die in a car accident. "I was having a lot of nightmares ... I started drinking a lot, and it kept getting progressively worse," Mr Chambers told 7.30. The low point was that day in 2022 and he said he could not remember what had occurred the previous night. He was treated as an inpatient at Toowong Private for several months, before participating in the hospital's nation-leading trauma recovery program for veterans and first responders, which runs as an outpatient program over 12 weeks. "It's a place that any veteran with mental health needs should be going. The support they give is excellent." As one of three major private psychiatric hospitals in central Brisbane, the family-owned facility has been a lifeline in Brisbane's inner-west for almost 50 years, treating thousands of patients. At the start of this year Mr Chambers relapsed and immediately reached out for help. He was admitted back into Toowong's care. But like thousands of others who have relied on Toowong, Mr Chambers will no longer have the hospital's innovative care to fall back on, after the facility descended into an untenable financial position. When the owners — The Kratzmann family — failed to find a buyer, the hospital entered voluntary administration last month. After an "urgent review" they determined the hospital would be forced to close. The hospital's financial woes were driven by the rising cost of care, the shortfall in what health insurance funds will cover for hospital care, and the decline in hospital-based psychiatrists. "There's nowhere else that's the same, that I can get to." Toowong Private Hospital is a 58-bed facility that treats about 3,000 patients every year, with 154 employed staff. It's a pioneer in psychiatric treatment and the only private psychiatric hospital in Queensland to offer intravenous ketamine for inpatients with severe depression. Kerrie Czernia is one of the last inpatients at the facility. Having battled a major depressive issue for over 30 years, she believes she finally found the right treatment plan at Toowong — intravenous ketamine — but the hospital will close before she finishes her treatment. "There is that worry, there's that anxiety, stress, you know, where are we going [now]? What are we going to be given?" Ms Czernia said. It's Ms Czernia's fourth admission at the hospital, which she describes as a life-saver. Ms Czernia is worried that the next time she is ill she will have no option but to use the already stretched public hospital system. "You have to be really unwell," she said. "And I don't ever want to have to get to that stage [where] I can then access public health." Her concerns are shared by healthcare professionals like Dr Joshua Geffen, who after 25 years at Toowong has had to pack up his office. Dr Geffen is desperately trying to find alternatives for patients who rely on Toowong, to pick them back up when their mental health goes down. "Very unwell people are going to have less access to care. They're going to finish up ramped in emergency departments," Dr Geffen told 7.30. There is a small number of other facilities in inner-Brisbane: Ramsay Clinic in New Farm, Belmont Private Hospital at Carina Heights, Nundah Private Hospital and Avive Clinic in Windsor. Dr Geffen has been frantically contacting those venues to get admitting rights. "I have to ask colleagues who are also overburdened to take on the care of a patient who they don't know and doesn't know them, so it's profoundly disruptive and that runs the risk of having serious health consequences for patients." One of the factors leading to Toowong Private's demise was a decline in admitting psychiatrists at the facility, which is part of a national trend where fewer specialists are based in hospitals because it is more profitable to work in private clinics. Dr Geffen described the situation there as "bizarre". Despite there being a waitlist, beds have remained empty due to there not being enough admitting psychiatrists. Brett Heffernan of the Australian Private Hospitals Association said one of the main problems private hospitals face comes from health insurers underfunding private hospitals. "They've banked more than $2 billion a year in record profits, while they've short-changed hospitals to the tune of more than a billion dollars a year." The CEO of Private Healthcare Australia Rachel David disputed that claim. "Health fund payments to hospitals have increased by 8 per cent over the last 12 months, which is well above inflation" Ms David said. "And if you track back what health funds have been paying hospitals, it's followed health inflation almost exactly for the last 10 years." In a statement to 7.30, Queensland Health said the department was in close contact with the hospital's administrators to "ensure a smooth transition for patients" to other private mental health facilities or services. "The continuity of care for the patients is Queensland Health's priority, we are also resourced to provide suitable care, if required", the statement said. Brett Emmerson, chair of the Queensland branch of the College of Psychiatrists, says the impact on patients from Toowong will be profound. "Patients will end up in the public system, particularly at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital and the Prince Charles Hospital," Dr Emmerson said. "It's still undecided what's going to happen to that veterans program, but it's a program of national significance. "It provides evidence-based care not only to veterans but police and ambulance workers. Mr Chambers remains hopeful that Toowong can be saved even as the doors prepare to close. "I would love for someone to save it. I'd like to know that if I had to go back into hospital, I'd be back in Toowong," he said. Watch 7.30, Mondays to Thursdays 7:30pm on ABC iview and ABC TV Do you know more about this story? Get in touch with 7.30 here.
