Discussing Trauma

We talk about our program being “trauma-informed".” But what is trauma-informed, why is it important, and can you be trauma informed too?

First, being trauma-informed means our peer specialists are aware that the wounds of trauma can still hurt. Our peer support is open, non-pushy, and not judgmental. We let those who seek peer support open up and share with us in their own way and at their own pace.

Why is this important? It is important because recounting traumatic stories can be re-traumatizing if not handled in a caring, non-judgmental way. Sometimes someone isn’t ready to talk about their trauma, which is okay. Being trauma informed means knowing when to back off and let people talk at their own pace. Other times someone might still blame themselves or feel shame about their trauma. Trauma informed approaches can help by listening in a non-judgmental way, bypassing any stigmatizing feelings that might be there.

Lastly, can you be trauma-informed? Absolutely! While there are various approaches that let you train in trauma informed approaches, at its core it is about actively listening, suspending any judgment, allowing them to lead the conversation, and validating and supporting any emotions they might be feeling. In this way you can be a safe a supportive person for your friends and family to come to if they are struggling with trauma.

If someone comes to you with something traumatizing, be mindful of your own boundaries. If something is hard to hear because of your own trauma, don’t ignore that. Also, don’t feel like it is your duty to ‘fix’ someone else’s trauma. Listening in a supportive, trauma-informed way can help reduce someone’s distress, but unpacking and processing that trauma should be left to a mental health professional.

Hopefully, by following these tips, more people can be supportive of trauma and mental health challenges experienced by those in the field. And if you aren’t sure where to go for trauma-informed support, know our peer support program is here for you.