Last week, while driving through our old neighborhood, I giggled at my mom over her usual mispronunciation of the villa’s Spanish name. But, instead of laughing along, she suddenly became enraged. Her strong reaction to what seemed like a harmless comment stunned me. You might think, “What just happened?” Turns out, as a kid, she was bullied for not being able to pronounce words correctly after immigrating to an English speaking school. This scenario is a perfect example of why being trauma-informed is so crucial. Understanding the hidden layers of someone’s reaction can transform how we interact and support each other.
What does it mean to be trauma-informed?
Being trauma-informed means shifting from asking, "What's wrong with you?" to "What happened to you?" It’s about understanding, recognizing, and responding to the impact of trauma on individuals' lives and integrating this awareness into our interactions [1]. This approach emphasizes the need to provide support that is empathetic and fosters an environment of safety, trust, and empowerment.
The misuse of trauma terminology
It often feels like today’s culture is supportive, and yet completely misinformed about mental health. There are an abundance of self-care tips on social media, people exploring bed rot days, and finally looking for work/life balance. But, at the same time, internet culture has diluted the meaning of important terms.
The word “trauma” gets tossed around casually on social media to describe minor inconveniences. This overuse not only dilutes the true meaning, but creates an unwelcoming, unsafe environment online. It’s like someone trivializing trauma by saying, "That movie trailer triggered me," while someone else silently battles PTSD. This careless usage can invalidate real, painful experiences and contribute to misunderstanding and stigma.
Trauma-informed care (TIC)
Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) acknowledges the widespread impact of trauma and understands potential paths for recovery. It’s about creating environments where individuals feel safe and supported, facilitating healing and growth [2]. The principles of TIC include safety, trustworthiness, peer support, collaboration, empowerment, and cultural competence.
- Safety: Ensuring physical and emotional safety.
- Trustworthiness and Transparency: Building trust through transparency.
- Peer Support: Utilizing peer support to promote recovery.
- Collaboration and Mutuality: Emphasizing partnership and leveling power differences.
- Empowerment, Voice, and Choice: Prioritizing empowerment and individual choice.
- Cultural, Historical, and Gender Issues: Being responsive to cultural, historical, and gender-specific needs [3].
Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and Trauma-Informed Care
Meme created with imgflip.com. (2024)
Being trauma-informed goes beyond just recognizing a person’s trauma. It’s also about understanding and responding in a way that makes a person feel safe. This involves quite a bit of EQ. Emotional intelligence (EQ) is the ability to understand and manage our own emotions while recognizing and influencing the emotions of others. High EQ is crucial in a trauma-informed approach as it allows for empathetic and effective responses to individuals affected by trauma.
Implementing a Trauma-Informed Approach
Meme by ifunny (2021)
During my university years, I found myself drawn to mentoring. Initially, it was about helping students navigate academic life, but it soon evolved into deeper conversations. Many of my mentees faced high anxiety, were part of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, or were first-generation college students. Having gone through therapy myself, I knew the importance of listening without judgment. When things went wrong, my goal was to understand, not blame. This approach not only provided better support for my students but also built stronger, more trusting relationships.
If you’re trying to incorporate a trauma-informed approach in your interactions with friends, families, or mentees, try the following [4]:
- Educate Yourself: Learn about trauma and its impacts.
- Practice Empathy: Listen without judgment and validate others' experiences.
- Create Safe Spaces: Ensure both physical and emotional safety.
- Encourage Empowerment: Provide choices and foster a sense of control.
- Promote Peer Support: Encourage connections and mutual support.
Being trauma-informed is about more than just understanding trauma. It’s about creating a supportive environment where people feel safe and empowered. By integrating trauma-informed principles into our daily lives, we can make a significant difference in the lives of those around us.
References
[1] Champine, R. B., Hoffman, E. E., Matlin, S. L., Strambler, M. J., & Tebes, J. K. (2022). "What Does it Mean to be Trauma-Informed?": A Mixed-Methods Study of a Trauma-Informed Community Initiative. Journal of child and family studies, 31(2), 459–472. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8736308/
[2] Center for Health Care Strategies. (2022, July 7). What is trauma-informed care? - trauma-informed Care Implementation Resource Center. Trauma. https://www.traumainformedcare.chcs.org/what-is-trauma-informed-care/
[3] Trauma-informed care. ACEs Aware. (2021, November 19). https://www.acesaware.org/ace-fundamentals/principles-of-trauma-informed-care/
[4] Menschner, C., & Maul, A. (n.d.). Key Ingredients for Successful Trauma-Informed Care Implementation. https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/programs_campaigns/childrens_mental_health/atc-whitepaper-040616.pdf