4 Reasons to Advocate for Trauma-Informed Services Training at your Library
Trauma-Informed Services is an approach that recognizes the prevalence and impact of trauma on individuals. It emphasizes creating environments that are sensitive, understanding, and responsive to the needs of those who have experienced trauma.
Trauma-informed services are characterized by several key principles created by the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
The key principles are:
Safety: Prioritizing physical and emotional safety for individuals who have experienced trauma.
Trustworthiness and Transparency: Building trust with individuals by being transparent, reliable, and accountable in all interactions.
Peer Support and Collaboration: Recognizing the importance of peer support and collaboration in promoting recovery and resilience.
Empowerment and Choice: Empowering individuals to make informed decisions. This includes offering choices, respecting preferences, and involving individuals in the decision-making process to the greatest extent possible.
Cultural, Historical, and Gender Sensitivity: Acknowledging the impact of cultural, historical, and gender-related factors on individuals' experiences of trauma and recovery.
While all of this information is great, you may be feeling overwhelmed or ill-equipped to provide trauma-informed services at your library. Maybe you are excited about the idea but don’t fully understand the concept or its benefits and want to learn more about it. So it's time to advocate for trauma-informed services training at your library.
Here are 4 reasons you can highlight when advocating for trauma-informed services training at your library.
1. Promoting Accessibility and Inclusivity: Trauma-informed services help create a more inclusive environment by recognizing and accommodating the diverse needs of patrons who may have experienced trauma. This promotes accessibility and ensures that all individuals feel welcome and supported in the library.
2. Preventing Re-traumatization: Libraries serve as public spaces where individuals from various backgrounds interact. By implementing trauma-informed approaches, library staff can help prevent re-traumatization by creating a safe and supportive environment that respects the boundaries and triggers of patrons who have experienced trauma. Preventing re-traumatization is not only for patrons but also for staff.
3. Supporting Mental Health and Well-being: Trauma-informed services prioritize the mental health and well-being of patrons by offering empathetic and compassionate support. Library staff trained in trauma-informed care can provide resources, referrals, and quick emotional support to individuals who may be struggling with trauma-related issues. The idea is not for library staff to act as mental health therapists, but to problem-solve situations and connect patrons with properly trained individuals.
4. Building Trust and Rapport: Adopting trauma-informed practices helps build trust and rapport between library staff and patrons. By demonstrating sensitivity and understanding towards individuals who have experienced trauma, staff members can foster positive relationships and create a sense of belonging within the library community.
The first step in creating a trauma-informed library environment is ensuring that staff members are well-educated on the subject. By investing in education, libraries empower their staff to interact compassionately with patrons who may be dealing with trauma. Collaborating with professionals can provide libraries with access to up-to-date information and resources, ensuring that staff remains well-informed about the latest developments in trauma research and care. Check out our trauma-informed workshop page to sign up for one of our training sessions.
Advocating for trauma-informed services at libraries is a vital step toward creating community spaces that prioritize mental health and well-being. By investing in education and training, creating safe and inclusive environments, and collaborating with mental health professionals, libraries can become essential hubs for individuals seeking support after experiencing trauma. In doing so, libraries not only fulfill their traditional roles as information providers but also evolve into crucial pillars of community resilience and mental health advocacy.
