Will be tweeting from a webinar this morning on 'trauma informed approaches to care and support in mental health'. I'll try to keep to one thread so follow along if you're interested #TraumaInformed #MentalHealth #TraumaInformedApproaches

Not the best start... got the start time wrong! Oops! Kicks off at half past, so will be back soon!

Here we go. Today's event is chaired by the brilliant @LizDurrant19

Focus today not about a single intervention, therapy or training package for staff, but about a fundamental change & shift in the way care is delivered... and the way systems & orgs respond to people experiencing trauma

Lots in the Long Term Plan and Mental Health Implementation Plan about trauma-informed care

Thinking about children & young people - the current crisis itself may be experienced as trauma by some, as well as exacerbating other challenges being faced by many

Some suggestions for parents who may be worried: Make time to listen, create safe spaces where a child or young person can communicate how they’re feelings without judgement; Keep an eye on what children and young people are accessing online

(2/2) Support children to engage in positive activities which means they aren’t isolating themselves;
Look after your own well-being as well.

Now hearing about system responses to the crisis… Placed based approaches can have positive effects at time of crisis, but need to also think about how we plan across services and systems.

Need to bear in mind how challenging it can be to think, plan, talk, and be creative about system change at times we're feeling or experiencing an immediate threat (perceived or actual).

Now hearing from @Andy__Bell__

Trauma can be multiple events; that happens incrementally over time; systems can sometimes re-traumatise; there are significant inequalities

Covid-19 is a collective trauma - it’s happening to all of us - but we’re not all experiencing it in the same ways

Psychological impacts are likely to be greater for those with pre-existing traumatic experiences.

The mental health impact from Covid-19 will likely increase even as the virus reduces

Inequality in itself is toxic to mental health so the impact we’re seeing during this crisis as a result of inequality will simply exacerbate this.

Trauma is often described as a feeling of being disempowered and disconnected - really challenging at a time of lock down and distancing.

Working with people who have experienced trauma doesn’t necessarily mean you’re a trauma-informed service.

Healing will happen in communities. It is about rebuilding relationships, planning for the future and bringing people together.

Some great resources on http://www.centreformentalhealth.org