When we talk about trauma, we realize that many definitions, experiences and frameworks of trauma exist. The project team of Co-Creating Well-being wants to bring them together and set a common language when talking about trauma.
“Individual trauma results from an event, series of events, or set of circumstances that is experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or life threatening and that has lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and mental, physical, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being.”
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
What does it mean to be trauma-informed, and what does a trauma-informed approach look like?
“A program, organization, or system [or person] that is trauma-informed realizes the widespread impact of trauma and understands potential paths for recovery; recognizes the signs and symptoms of trauma in clients, families, staff, and others involved with the system; and responds by fully integrating knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, and practices, and seeks to actively resist re-traumatization.”
When we build our capacity to be trauma-informed, it changes how we approach working with people. A trauma-informed approach looks like:
- Safety
- Trustworthiness & Transparency
- Collaboration & Mutuality
- Empowerment, Voice & Choice
- Peer Support
- Understanding Cultural, Historical and Gender Issues
Bibliography note:
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. SAMHSA’s Concept of Trauma and Guidance for a Trauma-Informed Approach. HHS Publication No. (SMA) 14-4884. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2014.
