Resources for a Trauma Informed Community

Trauma is a widespread, harmful, and costly public health problem. Trauma can include homelessness and transience, unemployment, disaster, war, poverty, substance abuse, domestic violence, and abuse and neglect. Traumatic exposure cuts across age groups, gender identity, socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, geography, and sexual orientation. Becoming “trauma informed” means recognizing that people often have many different types of trauma in their lives. A trauma informed community involves understanding, recognizing, and responding to the effects of all types of trauma. The resources listed below focus on trauma informed and resilience-building practices.

Resilience. The ability to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness. Something we could all use a little more of right now. It can be hard to be resilient after tough times but there is a way out, a way to bounce back. Researchers have identified 4 “protective factors,” activities that provide them with the conditions that help the emergence of their resilience. Let’s explore the idea of resiliency together!

To learn more about Resiliency in Action visit https://www.resiliency.com/free-articles-resources/hard-wired-to-bounce-back/.

Communicate “The Resiliency Attitude”

“You have what it takes to get through this!” The challenge with the resiliency attitude is to both be aware of the problems and to draw upon the strengths a person has to solve them as well as to sincerely communicate the belief that the current problems can be successfully overcome.

Adopt a “Strengths Perspective”

Instead of focusing on your weaknesses, focus on what you are strongest at! Acknowledge all that you’ve been through to get here and how you can use your strengths to overcome any current obstacles you may be facing.

Surround Each Individual (or family member) with all Aspects of the “Resiliency Wheel”

The Resiliency wheel is made up of 6 components that can help individuals overcome adversity:

Provide care and support

Set high, but realistic, expectations for success

Provide opportunities for “meaningful contribution” to others

Increase positive bonds and connections

Set and maintain clear boundaries

Develop needed life skills

Give it Time

A resilient outcome requires patience. Identifying, celebrating, reinforcing, and nurturing the growth of these positive human traits is the most important skill we can collectively develop to help ourselves and others be more resilient.