On the road to being trauma-informed

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September 20, 2016

Using a trauma-informed approach fosters resilience and mental wellness – a core goal of Ontario’s Comprehensive Mental Health and Addictions Strategy. This goal reflects the growing recognition that trauma is a common experience of those who access services as well as service providers, and that becoming more trauma-informed can have a positive impact on individuals, families and communities.

Building a trauma-informed community requires a paradigm shift. The Kenora-Rainy River Service Collaborative is making positive changes by promoting trauma-informed practice, with a particular focus on the intersection between the youth justice and mental health and addictions systems. The goal is to move away from a system that places blame on the individual – “What is wrong with you?” – to one that asks, “What has happened to you?”

kenora-sept-2016-newsletterThis shift is well on its way in Kenora-Rainy River, where an inclusive and understanding system grounded in considering past traumas is taking root. A key to making this happen is ensuring that service providers have a strong understanding of the effects of trauma and building their capacity to respond to clients who may have experienced trauma.

So far, more than 550 service providers representing mental health, justice, addictions, child welfare, education, and First Nations, Métis and Inuit sectors have built their capacity in trauma-informed practice. They are already seeing a difference, with over 80% indicating that the new practice is having a positive impact on the system.

This work also involved a trauma-based workshop for organizational leaders. The workshop educated organizations on how policy and management support could be used to help staff become trauma-informed.

Momentum in achieving trauma-informed practice in Kenora is extending beyond the youth mental health and addictions, and justice sectors. On June 7, 2016, Kenora-Rainy River Service Collaborative Co-Chairs, Michelle Guitard and Sheri Norlen provided a deputation to the Kenora City Council. Speaking on behalf of the 53 collaborative members and 35 organizations, Michelle and Sheri explained the group’s mission to create an integrated service system built on a foundation of trauma-informed practice.

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