Use these resources to improve your implementation of trauma-informed care practice.
Trauma-informed care community of practice
The trauma-informed care community of practice brings together managers, clinicians, mental health workers, peer workers, consumers, family members and carers with the aim of supporting the implementation of trauma-informed care in mental health services across NSW.
The meetings are open to all NSW mental health staff. They are held monthly.
If you would like to join the community of practice, email ACI-MentalHealth@health.nsw.gov.au
Program resources
Recommended resources
Resources
A concise introduction to trauma-informed care, including its fundamental principles and links to more exapnsive resources.
The importance of trauma-informed practice and its five core principles, the prevalence and impact of complex trauma and how trauma-informed services can improve outcomes for those affected.
Trauma-Informed Care Implementation Resource Center
This US organisation provides a range of resources to help healthcare providers develop and implement trauma-informed care practices. It also offers information on upcoming events and training opportunities.
Training, resources and support to help healthcare providers implement trauma-informed care practices in Oregon. While the resources are specific to Oregon, many of the concepts and strategies can be applied more broadly.
A diverse range of resources to aid trauma survivors, their families and support networks.
Trauma-informed care and practice
Guidance for healthcare providers on implementing trauma-informed approaches to care.
The Institute on Trauma and Trauma-Informed Care: What is trauma-informed care
A US based resource that offers a range of services, including training, consultation, research and evaluation, for promoting trauma-informed care.
Implementing trauma-informed care
This module provides information on trauma-informed care and assists healthcare staff in identifying the measures they can take to integrate a trauma-informed approach into their workplace. Available for NSW Health staff. Course code: 427297565
Impact of trauma on patient engagement
This module provides a broad introductory overview of the impact of trauma on patient engagement. It supports staff to consider how they might improve engagement in their healthcare relationship, particularly where there may be a history of trauma. Available for NSW Health staff. Course Code: 419147097
Part of the Mental Health Pathways in Practice Program, this unit explains trauma-informed care, with healthcare professionals and individuals with lived experiences sharing their perspectives. Its aim is to enhance the empathy of NSW Health staff and prompt self-reflection, leading to improved engagement with people accessing NSW Health services. Course Code: 351178288
MHPiP 2 working with individuals who have experienced trauma
Part of the Mental Health Pathways in Practice Program, this unit explores how to work effectively with individuals who have experienced trauma, covering topics such as understanding trauma, avoiding triggers and managing disclosures. It features healthcare professionals and individuals with lived experiences. Course Code: 351178295
Understanding and responding to trauma
A two-day course that provides a comprehensive look at trauma in a social service and healthcare settings and aims to provide tools to better support people who have experienced trauma.
Introduction to trauma informed practice
A series of four half-day online sessions designed to develop core principles of trauma-informed practice.
Aboriginal trauma informed care and practice
Provides mental health professionals with culturally sensitive training to better support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who have experienced trauma, taking into account the impact of colonisation and intergenerational trauma.
Understanding trauma and what it means for you as a professional
This three video series equips professionals with skills to assist individuals who have experienced childhood abuse and complex trauma.
Professional development training
Training programs that aim to enhance individuals, teams and organisations' understanding of complex trauma and trauma-informed practice.
Trauma-informed care: Supporting workplace wellbeing
Designed to help healthcare and community service providers develop the knowledge and skills needed to provide trauma-informed care to clients who have experienced trauma. The course is delivered online and is self-paced.
Integrated trauma-informed care framework: My story, my health, my future
Helps healthcare providers understand and respond to the impact of trauma on the health and wellbeing of their patients. It provides guidance on how to deliver care that is sensitive, safe and effective for individuals who have experienced trauma.
Trauma-informed leadership for organisational change: A framework
Helps mental health and human services leaders create safe and supportive environments for trauma survivors by enhancing organisational culture and practices.
Transforming psychological trauma: A knowledge and skills framework for the Scottish workforce
This framework considers the impact on people living through trauma, at any stage in life.
Trauma-informed care and practice organisational toolkit (TICPOT)
This online training program promotes trauma-informed care and practice integration in Australian service systems and programs. It includes a toolkit for guiding organisational change, preparing for audit, planning, implementation and evaluation.
Trauma-informed organizational change manual
This toolkit offers organisations and systems a clear, concise guide to adopting a trauma-informed approach. It is available free of charge upon request.
Practice guidelines for clinical treatment of complex trauma - digital download
These evidence-based guidelines assist health professionals to provide trauma-informed care to survivor. They cover assessment, treatment planning, trauma-focused interventions, cultural sensitivity, ethics and self-care. Available for purchase online.
These initiatives, from the US National Child Traumatic Stress Network, include cultural competence curriculum, child welfare trauma training toolkit and resources for culturally specific populations.
NSW Health services Aboriginal cultural engagamenet self assessment tool
This tool assists health services to evaluate their cultural responsiveness in providing care to Aboriginal patients and their families.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health
Resources and initiatives aimed at improving the knowledge and understanding of mental health issues faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, with a focus on redressing the health inequities.
National Child Trauatic Stress Network
This US based website offers resources on trauma and trauma-informed care, including training materials, practice guidelines, assessment tools and webinars.
A summary to help clinicians use trauma-informed care when working with young people in different mental health settings, including information on trauma screening and interventions.
This webinar offers insights from professionals on trauma-informed organisations responding to racial trauma. It presents strategies and resources to guide organisations addressing trauma and racial inequity.
Trauma-informed care: A community story
Hear from the general practitioner and practice manager at the Mallacoota Medical Centre on how the principles of trauma-informed care were applied in the midst of a disaster.
The voices in my head - Eleanor Longden's TED talk 2013
Promotes a compassionate and understanding approach to mental health care. Eleanor shares her experience with hearing voices, highlights the link between trauma and mental health difficulties and challenges the stigma surrounding mental illness.
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)
A research study that explores the relationship between childhood trauma and adverse health outcomes in adulthood.
Trauma-informed care outcome study
Study on the implementation and impact of trauma-informed care in a residential addiction treatment agency. It supports the effectiveness of trauma-informed care and suggests further research should be conducted.
This paper proposes a novel, trauma-informed, conceptual model of care for post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 illness. Authors: Burton C, Downs C, Hughes T, et al.
Trauma-informed care interventions in emergency medicine: A systematic review
A synthesis of the range of trauma-informed care interventions in emergency medicine, with a focus on patient and clinician outcomes. It identifies gaps in the current research on implementing trauma-informed care.
This article discusses the use of trauma-informed care and the Polyvagal Theory to support the parent-infant dyad in the NICU and promote long-term health and wellbeing of the baby and family members.
Trauma‑informed HIV care interventions: towards a holistic approach
Highlights the higher prevalence of trauma among people living with HIV and how it can be a major barrier to achieving HIV treatment outcomes. It discusses trauma-informed interventions aimed at improving these outcomes.
The article presents data showing that trauma is a common experience among women living with HIV and is associated with various negative health outcomes. This highlights the need for trauma-informed approaches to healthcare for this population.
A systematic review of studies evaluating the effects of organisational interventions that include trauma-informed staff training.
Promotion of maternal-infant mental health and trauma-informed care during the COVID-19 pandemic
The article discusses the need for trauma-informed care for maternal mental health during the perinatal period in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. It provides recommendations for practice, research and policy.
Moving the lenses of trauma: Trauma-informed care in the burns care setting
The article highlights the importance of trauma-informed care in burns practice, as trauma can impact an individual's coping mechanisms and pose risks to their ability to function. It recommends that healthcare professionals acknowledge and understand the link between trauma, burns injurie, and mental health to minimise potential negative psychological impacts and effectively address the trauma deficit in burns recovery.
Evaluation of the impact of implementing a trauma-informed care approach, including screening for maternal adverse childhood experiences during prenatal care, pregnancy health and infant birth outcomes in a low-risk maternity clinic.
Before, during and after: Trauma-informed care in burns settings
The article proposes the use of a trauma-informed model of care for burn injury patients, divided into three stages of before, during, and after initial engagement with the patient, to mitigate and arrest trauma responses.
Workforce wellness and organizational change
This website focuses on the importance of promoting and measuring workforce wellness in order to support trauma-informed care implementation and improve the quality of services provided in civic engagement and social service professions.
Addressing secondary stress: Strong in the broken places
A video and PowerPoint slides that focus on the effects of vicarious traumatisation and offer solutions for managing secondary stress in the workplace.
Information on trauma-informed group supervision and practice services to support staff wellbeing, mitigate risks and impacts of vicarious trauma, promote reflective practice and defusing and debriefing processes in the workplace.
Guidance for individuals who are supporting survivors, emphasising the importance of self-care, including eating well, staying hydrated, getting enough sleep, regular exercise and taking time for oneself.
A practical framework to guide the development of healthy practices to reduce the impact of vicarious trauma.
Guidelines for trauma-informed mental health complaints resolution
A trauma-informed approach to handling complaints about mental health services, acknowledging how trauma can impact the complainant's experience.
Trauma-informed events checklist and policy and protocol
An easy-to-use checklist to help organisations ensure that events or activities follow trauma-informed principles.
Recovery oriented language guide
A guide to recovery-oriented language in mental health and human services.
Building collaborative cultures of care within NSW mental health services
Aims to improve mental health services by promoting a collaborative approach to care among mental health professionals, consumers and carers. The program provides training and support to develop skills and knowledge needed to work collaboratively.