Trauma-Informed Care

Trauma is a widespread, harmful and costly publichealth problem. It occurs as a result of violence, abuse, neglect, loss, disaster, war and otheremotionally harmful experiences.

It is an almost universal experience of people with mental and substance use disorders.  (Emphasis added.)

The need to address trauma is increasingly viewed as an important component of effective behavioral health service delivery.

Research has also indicated that with appropriate supports and intervention, people can overcome traumatic experiences.

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.

A program, organization, or system that is trauma-informed realizes the widespread impact of trauma and understands potential paths for recovery; recognizes the signs and symptoms of trauma in clients, families, staff, and others involved with the system; and responds by fully integrating knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, and practices, and seeks to actively resist re-traumatization. (All emphases in the original.)

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. SAMHSA’s Concept of Trauma and Guidance for a Trauma-Informed Approach. HHS Publication No. (SMA) 14-4884. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2014. Accessed May 8, 2021 from
https://ncsacw.samhsa.gov/userfiles/files/SAMHSA_Trauma.pdf