Trauma-Informed Approaches and the Power of Connection DC 2015 Annual Conference on Trauma Presented by: Mary Blake, Public Health Advisor SAMHSA/CMHS

Lived Experience: Trauma Healing and Recovery There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you. – Maya Angelou

The Central Role of Trauma School Problems, Incarceration Homelessness, Relationship & Job Problems Substance Abuse, Parenting Problems Violence and Trauma Mental Health Problems Suicide PTSD Depression Schizophrenia

The Impact of Trauma Trauma is cumulative Trauma affects the developing brain Trauma increases likelihood of health risk behaviors (smoking, drinking, overeating) as means of coping Trauma is directly related to mental health symptoms, substance abuse, chronic physical illness, early mortality

5 Trauma impacts our relationships and connections to ourselves and others: spiritually, socially, physically… …Trauma often creates profound feelings of shame and isolation, and can alter our sense of self and relationship to the world around us. The experience of abuse and neglect often fosters a lack of safety or trust… …Violence raises inherently spiritual questions, such as “why me? Traumatic Experience and Connection

Rarely can a response make something better, because what makes something better is connection. – Dr. Brene’ Brown

SAMHSA CONCEPT OF TRAUMA RELEASED OCTOBER 2014 Available for download at:

SAMHSA’s Concept of Trauma “The 3 Es” 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. From SAMHSA’s Concept Paper

A Trauma-Informed Approach (Four R’s) Realizes widespread impact of trauma and understands potential paths for recovery Realizes Recognizes signs and symptoms of trauma in clients, families, staff, and others involved with the system Recognizes Responds by fully integrating knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, and practices Responds Seeks to actively resist re-traumatization. Resists A trauma-informed program, organization, or system: From SAMHSA’s Concept Paper

Key Principles of a Trauma-Informed Approach Safety Trustworthiness and Transparency Peer Support Collaboration and Mutuality Empowerment, Voice, and Choice Cultural, Historical, and Gender Issues

People can't be just tied together. They have to connect. Otherwise, they'll find themselves bound hand and foot. ― Ai Yazawa

When We Become Our Illness, We Lose Our Humanity

Postcards “To” The Edge 13

The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned. – Maya Angelou

Contact Info Mary Blake, C.R.E, I.T.E Public Health Advisor SAMHSA/CMHS Tel: