Trauma Informed Mental Health Care

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Introduction
The term ‘trauma’ refers to a psychological and emotional response to an event or experience that is deeply distressing or disturbing for an individual or consumer. Since 1900, the term ‘trauma’ has been inconsistently in use within acute inpatient mental health units as the sense of a “psychic wound, unpleasant experience which causes abnormal stress” (Harper, D., 2015). A traumatic life experience, such as childhood sexual abuse, domestic violence, neglect, adult sexual abuse, rape as well as bullying occurs at an alarmingly high rate of 57% in Australia (Rosenman, S., 2002). Traumatic experiences can impact a consumer’s emotional well-being which can bring feelings of terror, helplessness, lack of control and power; ultimately …show more content…

Consequently, without early intervention, and the observation of the consumers attempt to manage the distress associated with the adverse effects of trauma exposure and past traumatic experiences. Consumers are at risk of developing substance abuse problems and portray self-destructive behaviours such as self- harm as well as increase risk of suicidal thoughts, plans and attempts (Clark,T., 2009). The indisputable association and prevalence of these traumatic life experiences and negative long term adverse outcomes contributes to a compelling evidence base for mental health clinicians to become a trauma informed mental health clinician. Additionally, trauma informed care, is defıned as a “strengths based framework that is responsive to the impact of trauma, emphasizing physical, psychological, and emotional safety” for consumers as well as “creating an opportunity for consumers to rebuild a sense of control and empowerment” ("Mental Health Coordinating Council - Trauma-Informed Care and Practice (TICP)", 2018). Trauma informed care awareness within acute inpatient mental health units, will build capacity amongst mental health clinicians to deliver holistic care, become compassionate and sensitive to consumers and families, in relation to a consumers health behaviour and …show more content…

2010; Jennings, 2004; Kezelman, C., & Stavropoulos, P., 2012; SAMHSA, 2014). Even though, the values of the trauma informed care framework vary in amounts, contingent on numerous and different literature, in essence all core principles have identical connotations. Fallot, R.D., and Harris, M (2009) exemplify that the trauma informed care approach and framework is built on five core morals: safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration, and empowerment. Safety is demonstrated as both physical and emotional safety of traumatised consumers. Creating a safe environment for consumers through implementing the elimination of triggers to the consumers traumatic past will consequently lead to the trustworthiness aspect of the five core values. Trustworthiness relates to providing care with the minimum extent of risk for re-traumatization as a result, building interpersonal interactions with consumers and maintaining professional boundaries. The conception of choice is significant as mental health clinicians, will support and empower the consumer through delving into options and various services the consumer prefers to seek aid from. Thus, ultimately, will promote independent input into the consumer’s decisions of

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