What is "trauma-informed? "
A program, organization, or system that is trauma-informed:
realizes the widespread impact of trauma
understands potential paths for recovery
recognizes the signs and symptoms of trauma in people involved with the system
responds by fully integrating knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, and practices
seeks to actively resist re-traumatization.
- Adapted from SAMHSA
It's also helpful to see how SAMHSA defines the concept of trauma:
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. It has lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and mental, physical, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being.
- Adapted from SAMHSA