What is Trauma?

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) describes individual trauma as an event or circumstance resulting in physical harm, emotional harm, and/or life-threatening harm. Individual trauma results from an event, series of events, or set of circumstances that is experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or life threatening and that has lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and mental, physical, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being.

The National child Traumatic Stress Network offers parents information about child traumatic stress (CTS), the best way to treat CTS, what parents can do at home for their children, and how parents can make sure their children receive support at school. You can download their free guide here: Understanding Child Trauma. The mission of ECHO is to educate families, communities and professionals about trauma and resilience in order to promote survivor empowerment, resolve individual and community-level trauma, and create the safe, stable, nurturing relationships that break the cycle of generational trauma. They provide training and resources, including free infographics like this one about the PHYSICAL IMPACT OF TRAUMA.

In this 7-minute video, the author of “The Body Keeps the Score” Bessel van der Kolk, explains What is Trauma?

CTIPP offers a handout that explains natural reactions to occupational hazards and trauma. The chart highlights natural reactions or behaviors when an individual feels in survival mode within a work environment that might be harmful or unsupportive.