Staples, J. K., Atti, A., Ahmed, J., & Gordon, J. S. (2011).

Mind-body skills groups for

posttraumatic stress disorder and depression symptoms in Palestinian children and
adolescents in Gaza. ​International Journal of Stress Management,​ ​18(​ 3), 246.

Since 2005, The Center for Mind Body Medicine (CMBM) has trained 600 Palestinian
clinicians, educators, and community leaders in self-care and group support. Since then, trainees
have brought it to more than 150,000 children and adults. CMBM is working with the Ministries
of Health, Education and Social Welfare, The United Nations Relief and Work Agency, and 200
international and local NGOs. Gaza frequently experiences unpredictable attacks and political
violence. The entire population of 1.8 million has witnessed or at least been affected by violence.
Gaza’s instability has led to high unemployment and poverty levels. Access to basic needs and
health care is extremely limited. After the CMBM group taught mind body medicine skills to
communities in Gaza, they found, through ethnological study, that mind body medicine
modalities had greatly improved the mental state of many. One woman who had lost her husband
said that she “thought [her] husband’s death destroyed [her] life. [She] cried a lot in the Mind
Body Skills Groups, but no one prevented [her]; they respected [her] sadness, [her] silence and
[her] suffering. [She] learned to take deep breaths to fill [her] chest with oxygen, acceptance and
hope, and to exhale the anger and despair. [She] learned that [she does have] a body to care
about, and other family members that [she] could rely on” (CMBM).

The authors, Staples, Abdel Atti, and Gordon, are qualified to discuss the effects of mind
body medicine on PTSD because of their personal experiences in Gaza. All three authors
traveled to Gaza to teach the people different MBM modalities that may relieve stress related
symptoms. The authors witnessed the impact that MBM had on the people of Gaza which is why
they have the authority to share their findings. Additionally, Gordon is the head of The Center
for Mind Body Medicine in Washington DC, and Staples and Abdel are both staff members,
which makes them educated on the subject of mental health and treatment. Although written 8
years ago, this source is still relevant because people in impoverished communities, such as
Gaza, will still be affected similarly now, compared with 8 years ago. Even though this is an
opinion, the authors still presents claims, reasoning, and evidence to show why that opinion is
valid and credible. For example, the authors used a quote stated by a widow in Gaza who
claimed that the MBM healing techniques had helped her deal with the death of her husband.
The coverage can be considered broad and deep because the authors used multiple instances
during their work in Gaza to describe with detail how MBM impacted those struggling with
PTSD and other stress related conditions. The information contained in the source can be
verified elsewhere. For example, the author emphasized the importance of social support,
achieved in small groups where participants share their traumatic experiences, which can be
corroborated by van Der Kolk in his publication ​The body keeps the score. ​His publication
explains how socializing and vocalizing challenges with PTSD helps relieve some PTSD related
symptoms. The purpose of this article is to describe the efficacy of mind body medicine healing
techniques on people affected by trauma in impoverished countries, such as Gaza. The audience
is people who experience PTSD, and are searching for a psychological treatment rather than
drugs. The article is appropriate for this purpose and audience because it explains that treating
PTSD is achievable through mind body medicine.