Celebrating Growth: Creating A Trauma-Informed Environment

At Collectively Diverse, we believe in continuous learning and growth to better support individuals and communities. That’s why we’re thrilled to share that our founder and CEO, Liz Day, has recently completed a course in Trauma-Informed Care! Having encountered the principles of trauma-informed approaches through her academic research and real-life experiences, Liz was driven to deepen her knowledge to create safer, more inclusive environments where individuals can thrive.

Why Trauma-Informed Care Matters

Trauma-informed care is an approach that recognises the widespread impact of trauma and integrates this awareness into policies, practices, and interactions. Being trauma-informed means understanding that trauma is not a rare experience—it is common, affecting individuals across all walks of life. By embedding trauma-informed principles in workplaces, communities, and services, we can reduce the risk of re-traumatisation and foster environments where healing and growth can take place.

The Three Types of Trauma

1. Acute Trauma – Results from a single distressing event, such as an accident, assault, or natural disaster.

2. Chronic Trauma – Arises from prolonged or repeated exposure to traumatic events, such as domestic violence or bullying.

3. Complex Trauma – Stems from exposure to multiple traumatic events, often occurring in childhood, and is usually interpersonal in nature, such as abuse or neglect.
   

Many people who have experienced trauma may not even recognise its long-term impact on their wellbeing. Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) – such as abuse, neglect, or exposure to substance abuse – significantly increase the risk of developing physical, mental, and socio-economic challenges later in life.

The Widespread Impact of Trauma

People who have experienced trauma are at a greater risk of developing:

• Physical illnesses, including cardiovascular disease and chronic conditions like diabetes.

• Mental health challenges, such as substance use disorders and PTSD.

• Socio-economic difficulties, including homelessness and unemployment.

Without trauma-informed environments, individuals may face repeated exposure to harmful triggers that exacerbate their struggles. This is why organisations, businesses, and communities must embrace trauma-informed practices to create safer, more supportive spaces.

Everyone Has a Role in Creating a Trauma-Informed Environment

While professional trauma treatment should be carried out by qualified experts, everyone can contribute to a trauma-informed approach. This involves:

• Recognising the signs of trauma and understanding its impact.

• Creating safe and supportive environments free from judgement and re-traumatisation.

• Encouraging open conversations and promoting mental health literacy.

• Implementing policies that prioritise psychological safety and inclusivity.
  

At Collectively Diverse, we are committed to embedding trauma-informed principles into our training, workshops, and workplace practices. Liz’s new qualification strengthens our mission to educate others on fostering environments where everyone, regardless of their experiences, can feel safe, valued, and empowered.

If you’re interested in learning more about a trauma-informed approach and how it can be integrated into your business or community, reach out to us. Together, we can build a more understanding and resilient world.

#TraumaInformedCare #MentalHealth #Inclusion #WorkplaceWellbeing