Understanding and Responding to Trauma Ian Finck and Laura Watts 2014

Speaker Introduction Ian Finck Volunteer Laura Watts Volunteer/Employee

By the end of the preso we’d like you to… Understand the basics of trauma Understand the stress response and how it relates to people experiencing trauma Understand the relationship between homelessness and trauma Develop a better understanding of trauma through hearing a personal experience of trauma Understand the recovery journey Feel equipped with the tools and knowledge to support visitors experiencing trauma Ask us questions!

Class Introduction

What is trauma? Any event that involves exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury or violence AND where the person's response involved intense fear, helplessness, or horror has the POTENTIAL to be traumatic. “Traumatic events are extraordinary, not because they occur rarely, but rather because they overwhelm the ordinary human adaptations to life.” Judith Herman AIHW.GOV.AU

Trauma is Different

Interpersonal Trauma and Attachment Involves the use or abuse of power or betrayal by one person (or group of people) over another person (or group of people) Trauma that occurs at the hands of another person (or group of people) has the potential to impact on the way the person understands and forms other relationships throughout their life, including relationships with services.

Symptoms

Behavioural Emotional Behavioural Cognitive Emotional Physical

Understanding the Stress Response Understanding the stress response is important in understanding the traumatic stress response. Biologically hard-wired Essential for survival Threat detection Hard to unlearn

The Brain

The Body brain stress activates hypothalamus which stimulates other glands

Response to Threat: Low Road Activation Threat perceived Flight/fight activated Stimulus Hypothalamus Pituitary Adrenal Axis Accelerator SNS Sensory Data Thalamus Information Forwarded AmygdalaThalamus

Response to Threat: High Road Activation Amygdala Thalumus Hippocampus Hypothalamus Pituitary Adrenal Axis Stimulus Sensory Data Sensory Cortex Interpret possible multi meanings No danger

Flight or Fight Hand Model

Trauma and Homelessness ?% of homeless adults in inner Sydney reported at least one major trauma in their lives (?% of the general Australian report one lifetime trauma) ?% had experienced two or more traumatic events (average six trauma experiences) ?% experienced trauma prior to 16 years old Homeless people also report traumatic experiences during homeless episodes Homelessness itself can be considered traumatic Robinson 2010, Taylor and Sharpe 2008

A Local Perspective Event% Seriously physically attacked or assaulted76.8 Witnesses someone being badly injured or killed75 Threatened with a weapon, held captive or kidnapped64.3 Involved in a life-threatening accident60.7 Sexually molested44.6 Involved in a fire, flood or other natural disaster42.9 Raped33.9 Tortured or the victim of terrorists12.5 Any other extremely stressful or upsetting event10.7 Direct combat experience in war3.6 Suffered great shock due to one of the events above happening to someone close 44.6 Trauma experience of homeless adults in inner city Sydney Sharpe 2008

Cycle of Homelessness and Trauma

A Personal Experience of Trauma Rob Holt Volunteer

The Healing Process

Neurogenesis and Neuroplasticity

What is “Recovery?”

Frames and Recovery

A person’s own understanding of their experience influences their: BEHAVIOURS

There Are Many Frames –Biological – Abuse or trauma – Environmental – Spiritual or philosophical – Political – Creative – Developmental – Cultural – Social and emotional wellbeing – and more…

Biological Frame The ‘problem’ is: –Biologically based –Medical “mental illness”, “mental disorder” –Disordered brain chemistry –Genetic vulnerability The effect is: – a loss of cognitive ability and social functioning Recovery might involve: –Acceptance and education about the disease and ‘treatment’ –Competent providers such as psychiatrists –Finding the right medication(s) –Integrating illness into self ‐ concept –Acknowledging limitations and finding connections which accommodate limitations

Abuse or Trauma Frame The problem is: – history of severe (often childhood) abuse or trauma The effect is: –Results in loss of sense of self –Loss of self creates behaviour which others diagnose as mental illness or disorder –Mental health services ‘treatment’ become further sources of abuse or trauma Recovery might involve: –Reclaiming a sense of self –Taking control over one’s life –Finding ways (externally and internally) –to confront the abuse and trauma

Safety is Necessary for Healing Safety in environments (Physical safety) Safety within your own body (Intrapersonal safety) Safety in relationships (Interpersonal safety) Safety in systems (Justice and systemic safety)

Physical Safety Many visitors are homeless Many visitors are abused Wayside provides a safe daytime environment

Intrapersonal Safety Triggers –Any cue that elicits a memory –Blood, noise, smells, behaviours etc. Memory of trauma can intrude without warning People may not be aware of what their triggers are Learning your triggers can provide power over them

Interpersonal Safety Trauma informed supportive relationships are R.I.C.H. Respect is conveyed and felt Information is shared and transparent Connection is negotiated Hope is felt and conveyed

Safe Systems Transparency Justice Power is not abused

The Role of Volunteers

Understanding Visitors may be anywhere in the recovery process Behaviours are symptoms, not personally directed How the visitor “frames” their experience, their beliefs Be consistent – show up and be present Boundaries and capacity (passing to community worker)

Applying the Knowledge Group Activity Read the scenario Based on what you’ve heard today, discuss how you, as a volunteer, would respond to the situation Explain your response to the group

What’s Your One Takeaway?

Thank You