It is estimated that nearly one billion people worldwide have a mental health condition. Given the average worker spends a third of their life at work, creating workplaces that a nurturing can be immensely beneficial, for the employee and the organisation.
Trauma-informed care doesn’t mean trauma-specific care, and it doesn’t propose to heal or even directly address the trauma. It does involve the whole workforce, from cleaners, receptionists, clinicians and allied professionals being trauma-informed. That means everyone follows four fundamental principles:
1. Realise the prevalence of traumatic events and the widespread impact of trauma;
2. Recognize the signs and symptoms of trauma;
3. Respond by integrating knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, and practices; and
4. seek to actively Resist Re-traumatization
Given that unpredictability and feeling like we have a lack of control can activate our stress responses, organisations can potentially buffer the impact of this on staff, by being trauma informed. Working within a trauma informed organisation, isn’t a checklist about what to do, it requires a sensitivity, constant attention, and awareness to create a place where everyone feels safe and can trust those around them. Undoubtedly, this will require a culture shift by leaders who are compassionate, transparent and are able to empower those they lead.