According to the SAMHSA’s Concept of Trauma and Guidance for a Trauma-Informed Approach (2014), trauma results from an event, series of events, or set of circumstances experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or life-threatening with lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and mental, physical, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being.
Examples of possible traumatic events:
- Community and/or Domestic Violence
- Serious Accident, Injury or Illness
- Victim and/or Witness to Violence
- Homelessness
- Substance Use Disorder (personal or familial)
- Oppression/Racism
- Sudden or Violent Loss of a Loved One
- Inability to access resources and/or poverty
- Natural and/or Manmade Disasters
- Abuse
- Neglect
- Terrorism and/or War
- Vicarious Trauma
- Adverse Childhood Experiences or ACEs
- Any other event(s) that causes ongoing lasting adverse effects that impact an individual’s functioning
Trauma Facts:
- One out of every four children attending school has been exposed to a traumatic event that can affect learning and/or behavior.
- We all have the ability to overcome traumatic experiences because of resilience. Resilience can be learned, developed, and grown over time. Learn more about resilience here.
- Adverse Childhood Experiences, or ACEs, are traumatic experiences that occur within childhood (0-17years). Learn more about ACEs here.
