Module 7: Trauma Informed Workplace
Module 7: Trauma Informed Workplace
Staff
Preventing Suicide, a Resource for Work
A 32 page guide to suicide prevention in the workplace. World Health Organization
Guidebook on Vicarious Trauma: Recommended Solutions for Anti-Violence Workers
This is a Health Canada publication from 2001. The guidebook is 113 pages and includes historical perspectives about the anti-violence movement, and practical vicarious trauma solutions including personal impact, equity, and organizational function.
Returning to Work After a Suicide Attempt
Respect and sensitivity are key to ensuring an employee’s successful return to work after a suicide attempt. An effective workplace response to a death by suicide or an attempted suicide includes addressing the impact on co-workers.
https://www.workplacestrategiesformentalhealth.com/Managing-Workplace-Issues/Suicide-Response
Essential Tools for Worker Stability
A staff resource kit that can be used by people who share an aspect of identity with those with whom they work. Includes self awareness, emotional first aid, and debriefing strategies.
Why Good Leaders Help You Feel Safe
A Youtube video by management theorist Simon Sinek
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmyZMtPVodo
When Grief Comes to Work
A Handbook for Managers and Supervisors: This handbook is intended to address this particular set of workplace issues- namely those that arise from experiences of loss, grief and trauma. These issues can surface within the workplace itself, or can be imported into the work setting from workers’ personal lives. This handbook will be useful for managers, supervisors and human resource specialists who are interested in developing their understanding of how the very real issues associated with loss, grief and trauma can be tackled when they show up in work settings. This handbook is a blend of theory and practice, and can be used as a resource for building effective policies and practical responses to the complexities of managing grief, loss and bereavement in the workplace.
https://www.catie.ca/sites/default/files/When%20Grief%20Comes%20to%20Work_e.pdf
Coping Ugly, a Theory of Resilience and Growth
Every person experiences the aftermath of trauma in their own way. Resilience is the capacity of humans to withstand traumatic and stressful experiences.
http://www.grief-growth.com/coping-and-resilience
Debriefing
A Theory and Method for Debriefing with Good Judgement
While written for clinical medical training, the theory and method may be adapted to any supervisory role.
The Trauma Informed Supervisor Workbook
Building a Trauma Informed Human Services System, Trauma Informed Community Network, 2018
How do you provide trauma-informed supervision to your staff? How do you ensure that the work environment at your site is safe and welcoming for clients and staff alike? How do you help your staff develop the competencies that a trauma-informed workforce needs, and sustain a standard of care moving forward using trauma-informed hiring and staff development strategies?
Critical Incident Debrief
Critical Incident Debrief Hot Walk and Talk
Low Impact Debriefing
Reflective Supervision
Clients
Manitoba Trauma and Information Network
These resources have been developed by Klinic Community Health Centre and the Manitoba Information and Education Centre. Click on the links below for access to Trauma resources: Trauma Informed Tool Kit, Calm in the Storm: Coping with Stresses of Life, Are you Okay?, and Every Person’s Guide to Self Compassion.
http://trauma-informed.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Trauma-informed_Toolkit.pdf
Building a Trauma Informed Workforce
For an organization to embrace a trauma-informed care (TIC) model fully, it must adopt a trauma-informed organizational mission and commit resources to support it. This entails implementing an agency-wide strategy for workforce development that is in alignment with the values and principles of TIC and the organization’s mission statement. Without a fully trained staff, an organization will not be able to implement the TIC model. However, simply training behavioral health professionals in TIC is not enough. Counselors will not be able to sustain the kind of focus required to adopt and implement a trauma-informed philosophy and services without the ongoing support of administrators and clinical supervisors.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK207194/
Trauma Informed Care Project
Developed by Alberta Health Services, the purpose of the Trauma Informed Care (TIC) Project is to increase knowledge about trauma and the impact it has by creating connection, sharing knowledge and resources. TIC offers resources for individuals who help those impacted by trauma provide client centred care. There are 6 different e-learning modules on the following topics:
- Module 1: What is Trauma Informed care?
- Module 2: What is Trauma?
- Module 3: Disaster Response
- Module 4: Loss and Grief after Trauma
- Module 5: Trauma in Human Service Workers
- Module 6: Emotional Literacy
https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/info/Page15526.aspx
A Pictorial of the Trauma, Grief, and Loss Journey.
https://abrpo.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Multiple-Loss-Journey.pdf
Communication and Language
Using a trauma informed care approach requires a shift in language and thinking. https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/webapps/elearning/TIC/Mod01/story_content/external_files/CommunicationLanguage.pdf
Character Qualities required for Trauma Informed Care
Most people are attracted to a service provider profession because they want to make a difference.
The Trauma and Crisis Institute of Canada
This site provides resources in the areas of trauma, mental health, counseling skills, and violence prevention. Free resources, such as practical mental health intervention strategies, are available with the sign up of a monthly newsletter. There is also fee for service training on 50 different topics associated with trauma that include certificate programs and continuing education credits. There are 3 different membership levels available.
https://ca.ctrinstitute.com/resources/
Counselling
The Paradox of Empathy
An article about 3 components of empathy in counselling practice.
https://ct.counseling.org/2013/02/the-paradox-of-empathy-when-empathy-hurts/
Peer Support
Engaging Women in Trauma Informed Peer Support: A Guidebook
https://www.nasmhpd.org/sites/default/files/PeerEngagementGuide_Color_REVISED_10_2012.pdf
Peer Driven Change: Why Now?
An article discussing some ideas about how Covid 19 and Black Lives Matter has brought the idea of peer driven change to the forefront of social impact.
https://www.bridgespan.org/insights/library/philanthropy/peer-driven-change-why-now
Grounding Techniques for Clients or Staff