Why Is The Understanding Of Trauma So Important For All? Part 3: The Benefits of Trauma-Informed Approaches

Author: Justine East Campbell, Team Lead (Advocacy)

In Schools

A trauma-informed education can improve student outcomes because it can improve academic skill and performance, attendance and engagement, reduce student dropouts, improve emotional and behavioural control and resiliency, and create better relationships between teachers and students.

In Healthcare

The benefits of trauma-informed care in medical settings are that it can it contribute to better health outcomes for patients since both their mental and physical health will be considered during treatment, it can lead to better relationships between medical providers and patients, patients are more likely to participate in their medical care and adhere to their provider’s recommendations, there is a reduced chance of re-traumatizing a patient because of greater trust, support, and feelings of safety, it can improve the well-being and job satisfaction of staff as a result of a more empathic and supportive work environment, and it lessens healthcare costs since it can help to prevents chronic health issues.

In the Workplace

Trauma-informed practices can create healthier work environments as management may improve, staff may feel more safe, understood and supported which means that staff well-being, engagement, job satisfaction, and productivity may be better, staff may collaborate and resolve conflicts better, and there may be less staff turnover due to greater loyalty.

Practical Steps to Foster Understanding

Education and Training

There are several ways to educate oneself and others about trauma, such as in-person and virtual workshops, seminars, and webinars which are often conducted by local and international organisations, professionals such as psychologists, health departments, and universities. For example, the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) possesses a variety of webinars on trauma-informed care and the American Psychological Association (APA) offers webinars on trauma-related topics. Podcasts such as the “Trauma Therapist Podcast” where interviews occur with experts in the field of trauma and “Therapist Uncensored” which explores trauma and mental health are also beneficial. Another way to increase education is to access online courses which are available through various educational platforms. For example, Coursera provides courses such as “Trauma and Crisis Counseling” from a number of universities, edX offers courses like “Trauma and Resilience” by the University of Washington, and Udemy features courses like “Understanding Trauma and PTSD”. KAHLE Journey will also be offering various courses and training soon which can be accessed through our website. Additionally, there are several books about trauma that a person can read to increase their knowledge of trauma such as “The Body Keeps the Score” by Bessel van der Kolk and “Trauma and Recovery” by Judith Herman.

Community Programs

Community programs and support groups are essential because they provide an environment where education, support, and healing regarding trauma can take place. This all helps to increase awareness, reduce mental health stigma, increase recovery and help to reduce the chances of re-traumatization of others. Several support groups can be accessed online, such as at National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Trauma Survivors Network (TSN), 7 Cups, DailyStrength, and SupportGroups.com, which is highly beneficial since in-person support groups are limited in Jamaica, for example. 

...it’s crucial to be patient and empathetic, and create a safe and supportive environment by being conscious of body language and tone of voice, personal space and boundaries, possible triggers...

Personal Actions

For a person to be more trauma-aware in their daily interactions, an understanding of the effects of trauma on a person is needed so that one can make changes in their behaviour and how they communicate with others. For example, it’s crucial to be patient and empathetic, and create a safe and supportive environment by being conscious of body language and tone of voice, personal space and boundaries, possible triggers such as loud and sudden noises, and guaranteeing confidentiality and privacy when discussing trauma-related information. It’s also important to allow them to speak openly about their experience without interrupting which active listening can play a large role in. This involves providing your full attention such as maintaining eye contact and using body language and gestures to display understanding like nodding, avoiding interrupting the person and showing understanding by paraphrasing what they’ve said, for example. In addition, using trauma-informed language can be very helpful such as using language that reduces blame such as asking “What happened to you?” rather than “What's wrong with you?” and acknowledging some understanding of how challenging what they’re going through may be for them. It is also important to encourage professional mental health intervention if you think someone may need more help.

Summary

Trauma is an emotional response to a distressing event that overwhelms a person’s coping abilities and there are two types of trauma - physical trauma (e.g., injuries from accidents) and emotional/psychological trauma (e.g., experiences of violence or abuse). For individuals, experiencing trauma can have negative effects such as contributing to chronic health issues, mental health disorders, and substance abuse. For families, trauma can be passed down from generation to generation (intergenerational trauma) which can sustain a cycle of adversity. For communities, trauma experiences can lead to increases in crime and economic costs. It’s important to have an understanding of trauma to limit the long-term negative impacts, promote healthy development, and create safer and more supportive environments at home, school, and work. Trauma signs in children vary based on their age but may consist of  behavioural changes, emotional distress, and developmental regression while in adults trauma signs include intrusive, unwanted thoughts, emotional instability, and physical symptoms such as fatigue. In the elderly, trauma signs can be mistaken for age-related conditions but commonly involve increased vulnerability to mental and cognitive decline. There are numerous benefits to incorporating a trauma-informed approach in school, healthcare, and workplace settings as this can help improve academic performance, attendance, and student-teacher relationships, enhance patient outcomes by addressing both mental and physical health, and develop supportive environments, increasing job satisfaction and productivity, respectively. To foster understanding of trauma, education and training via workshops, webinars, podcasts, online courses, and community programs (e.g., support groups), are valuable resources. With greater understanding, each person can personally try to be more trauma-aware in their day to day interactions with others.

It can clearly be seen that comprehending trauma is critical for individual and community well-being, and it can aid in more appropriate support being provided, advancing strength and adaptability, and breaking the cycle of trauma on a small and large scale.

It is hoped that this post will encourage readers to learn more about trauma, how to support themselves and others who may be affected by it, and seek professional help if needed.

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