What is trauma?
Mind describes emotional or psychological trauma as ‘going through very stressful, frightening, or distressing events’.
When we talk about trauma, we might mean:
- situations or events we find traumatic; or
- how we’re affected by our experiences
Traumatic events can happen at any age and can cause long-lasting harm. Everyone has a different reaction to trauma.
We can also be affected by physical trauma, either before or after birth, which have impacts on our day-to-day life.
Physical trauma, such as brain injuries and life changing moments, can also affect someone’s ability to communicate and participate. Intellect and communication are not the same.
There are some brain injuries that affect both intellect and communication, but you should begin from the position that a person’s intellect is preserved until you have further information.
This guide may help you in situations where you meet people who have experienced trauma. You may come across many people who have been traumatised, but who choose not to disclose it or are unaware of it themselves.
It may also help when you meet people whom you know have experienced trauma and you are specifically looking to engage.
Information:
People on the ground know their communities best. Work with trusted community organisations who represent the people you are hoping to reach – they will be able to help you plan and deliver your engagement work in a meaningful and sensitive way.
How to support your participants
Inviting someone to discuss their experiences with you, or with a group of people, may be upsetting for them. It’s important to support participants before, during and after their discussions with you.
Aim to create a supportive environment where people feel comfortable enough to speak freely.
Remember why you are speaking with this person or group – always focus your conversation on their experience of local services or how services could be better tailored to meet their needs.
Create a safe space
Ask participants what kind of environment or setting would make them most comfortable.
Think about the physical safety of your participants. For instance, meeting in a community space rather than a healthcare setting (which some people may find upsetting).
Also consider the emotional or psychological safety of your participants. For instance, some body language can upset people, such as:
- crossing your arms
- leaning in
- standing behind someone who is sitting
- rolling your eyes
Be aware of how your mood may impact your expressions and tone of voice. Think about how you speak and your body language.
While controlling your body language, ensure that your expression is not completely blank – this can also be upsetting.
Ground rules
Set clear ground rules to help create the right atmosphere.
The ground rules you agree on for your event will set clear expectations for people’s behaviour. They will also help to create a supportive environment that encourages everyone to speak freely without fear of judgement.
Read more about setting ground rules
Right to withdraw
Make it easy for participants to withdraw their participation at any time. Withdrawing participation can be a protective measure someone uses to retain control over a situation.
Tell participants that they can withdraw from the conversation at any time, and help them do that in a way that isn’t awkward or uncomfortable for them.
Facilitating the conversation
Be yourself, be relatable
This is vital when it comes to inspiring trust. If you want people to give you something of themselves, it pays to give something of yourself too.
If you are asking people to share their lived experience then perhaps think about sharing some of your own.
Consider how you dress and present yourself – if you want to create a relaxed environment, make sure you dress in a relaxed way and use relaxed, informal language.
Avoid asking about traumatic events
When speaking to people who have been traumatised, it’s important to avoid asking about or reminding them of any traumatic events. Participants may choose to share this information if they feel comfortable, but they should not be asked to discuss it.
Use the words your participants use
People vary in how they prefer to describe their experiences. For example, it’s their choice whether to talk about being a ‘victim’ or ‘survivor’ of trauma.
Accept people’s feelings
Allow participants to get upset about what they talk about. Avoid telling people to calm down minimising their feelings. Instead, support them to find ways to calm themselves.
Avoid making assumptions about their experiences based on your own views. Some people may seem unemotional or casual about what has happened to them.
This can happen even when they’re talking about stressful or upsetting events. They might even smile or laugh. This can seem strange or confusing, but in it’s very common. Trauma can cause such strong feelings that your mind may ‘cut off’ or dissociate from your emotions.
Try to empathise
Focus on active listening and empathy – this is not about feeling sorry for the person you are speaking with, but understanding what they are saying about their experience and the affect it has had on them.
You might say something like: “Thank you for sharing your experience with me – I can see this has been very hard for you. You’ve talked a lot about how angry this experience has made you. I can understand why you’ve found it difficult to move forward”. This can be very validating.
Individuals who have experienced trauma may already see themselves as inherently weak. Remember, people can’t choose what they find traumatic or how they’re affected.
Information:
If you’re facilitating a group discussion, such as a focus group, read more advice in our guide for facilitators
Give participants time
Let participants talk at their own pace – don’t pressure or rush them – and focus on listening rather than asking lots of questions.
Support after your event
Make sure that your participants understand how their information will be used, what difference it will make and what ongoing relationship they will have with you.
Think about ways to support people after your event – some people may experience fresh trauma after discussing their experiences with you.
For instance, explore if participants would like to form a peer support group, which could continue after your project.