Trauma-informed approaches are becoming increasingly important in the workplace. With a greater understanding of the prevalence of trauma and its impact on individuals, workplaces need to become more aware of how to accommodate employees who may have experienced trauma. By doing so, employers are creating a safe environment for their employees, which can lead to improved productivity and morale.
What is a Trauma-Informed Approach?
A trauma-informed approach recognizes the potential impact of traumatic events on an individual’s life. This approach focuses on understanding how traumatic experiences affect behavior and interactions with others and how they can shape responses to stressors. To create a trauma-informed workplace, employers must consider the realities of their employee’s lived experiences.
How Can Employers Create a Trauma-Informed Environment?
Ensure employers understand the potential effects of trauma on their staff. Educating leaders and teams about the signs of trauma increases awareness of what may manifest differently in people at work.
Work to create an environment where employees feel comfortable seeking help with their experiences and have access to resources if needed.
Demonstrate a culture of compassion for any issues or difficulties an employee might face due to past traumas.
Collaborate with support services such as counseling or mental health services for their employees who may need them.
Hire a Certified Trauma Informed Professional to offer workshops on identifying potential triggers in the workplace and resilience-building techniques to create an environment where everyone feels respected and valued.
Creating a trauma-informed workplace is essential to ensuring that all employees feel safe and supported.
By taking steps to understand the impact of traumatic events on individuals, employers can better accommodate those who have experienced trauma while simultaneously improving productivity and morale within their organization. With proper education, compassion, support services, and clear expectations, businesses can foster environments prioritizing mental health awareness and emotional well-being among their staff members.
What does the research say?
A reference to the idea of how employers can create a trauma-informed environment, Dr. Bessel van der Kolk in his book The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma, explains that exercise, mindfulness meditation, yoga, writing, psychotherapy and other techniques help people. One way to create a trauma-informed environment is to provide educational resources on the effects of trauma and how it can manifest differently in people. The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) provides evidence-based information, resources, and training for professionals who work with children and families affected by traumatic events.
What’s Next?
If you're feeling stuck in life or at work, it's time to make a change to unleash your potential and start your journey to healing. The Trauma Informed Institute can help you unlearn behaviors connected to your challenges and introduce new mindsets that incorporate love, compassion, and community to help you navigate your challenges.
Become a Certified Trauma-Informed Advocate and help create positive change in the world. Visit www.traumainformedinstitute.com today to sign up for the course or book a consult call with our team.
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