What is Trauma?

The word "trauma" is used to describe experiences or situations that are emotionally painful and distressing, and that overwhelm people's ability to cope, leaving them powerless. Trauma has sometimes been defined in reference to circumstances that are outside the realm of normal human experience. Unfortunately, this definition doesn't always hold true. For some groups of people, trauma can occur frequently and become part of the common human experience.

"Traumatic events are extraordinary, not because they occur rarely, but rather because they overwhelm the ordinary human adaptations to life." -Judith Herman, Trauma and Recovery

Help Yourself by focusing on:

SELF:

Safety

Emotion management

Loss

Future

Safety means physical safety, emotional safety, social safety, and moral safety. Safety is where we always start and end. Safety is the foundation of healing. Emotion management is the step that helps us to handle our feelings in a way that doesn't hurt ourselves or others. Many individuals struggle to learn how they feel and what is causing them to feel that way, and how to handle their feelings safely. Loss creates change, and it is important to learn how to cope with change and the feelings that go with it. Understanding loss allows individuals to acknowledge and grieve painful things in a safe way so the individual does not get stuck in the past. When an individual understands the loss and the feelings that go with it, that person can move to a healthy future.

5-Step Safety Plan

List 5 things you can do when feeling unsafe to maintain your own safety.

The list should always include fail-safe items such as calling 911 or your therapist. These should be at the end of the list.

Include things that can be done without much thought.

Carry this list in your wallet, post it on your refrigerator, mirror or keep it in your pocket.

Share your list with someone you trust.

Start practicing it NOW.

Help the World: 7 Commitments of Sanctuary (Values to live by):

Non-Violence: Safety outside, inside, with others, and to do the right thing (physical, emotional, socially, morally).

Emotional Intelligence-managing our feelings so we don't hurt ourselves or others.

Social Learning-Respecting and sharing the ideas of our teams.

Democracy-shared decision making.

Open Communication-saying what we mean and not being mean when we say it.

Social Responsibility-together we accomplish more, everyone makes a contribution to the culture we work or live in.

Growth and Change-creating hope for ourselves and others.