Trauma Buddy
Trauma Buddy and its resources have been developed by people with lived experience of trauma. Trauma Buddy’s aim is to help staff and patients built a therapeutic relationship faster and reduce the risk of further trauma while patients are on our psychiatric and physically focused wards.
We will offer a tool for patients to take when discharged, which will support them in accessing the necessary support and empower them to prevent readmission.
What is trauma?
Trauma can be defined as an event, or series of events, which are very stressful, frightening, distressing and/or disturbing. Causes of trauma include domestic abuse, sexual abuse, exposure to crime and bereavement; however, it is very much an individual reaction and there is no exhaustive list of causes.
Trauma can be triggered at any stage in a person’s life and occurs when some kind of external factor causes them to recall the event which was traumatic to them. Triggers are very personal and hugely varied, but some common examples can include a smell, visual object or a certain word or phrase.
The effects have a huge impact on the individual personally, not just in the moment when the trigger occurs but for some time after. They can be hugely debilitating and distressing for the individual concerned.
Resources