Summary of Key Points
- Trauma-informed care prioritises safety, trustworthiness, empowerment, collaboration, and cultural sensitivity.
- Research evidence supports the effectiveness of trauma-informed approaches in improving outcomes for trauma survivors.
Trauma refers to the psychological and emotional response to distressing or overwhelming events. It encompasses the body and mind’s reaction to highly stressful situations, often resulting in long-lasting effects on mental health and well-being. The Depart of Communities and Justice (DCJ) provides more information about what trauma is.
What is Trauma-Informed Care?
Trauma-informed care is an approach that acknowledges the prevalence and impact of trauma on individuals’ lives. It is a systems-level initiative that includes understanding, recognising and responding to trauma. Integrated Trauma-Informed Care is explained in depth by NSW Health in the context of providing effective and efficient care that responds to a person’s wellbeing, across their physical and mental health needs in partnership with the individual and their support systems. This knowledge is integrated into policies, procedures, and practices to create safe and supportive environments.
Why Does Trauma-Informed Care Matter?
Trauma-informed care is essential because it places priority for organisations and care teams to have a complete picture of a person’s life situation — past and present — in order to provide effective care services with a healing orientation, fostering positive outcomes for survivors. It shifts the focus from “What’s wrong with you?” to “What happened to you?”.
Summary: How Trauma-Informed Care Shapes Our Approach at Marvel Care Australia
Trauma-informed care is a critical framework that guides compassionate support services, prioritizing individuals’ safety, respect, and empowerment. At Marvel Care Australia (MCA), we recognise the profound impact of trauma on people’s lives and have integrated trauma-informed care into our service delivery to ensure a supportive and empowering environment. At MCA, we have embedded trauma-informed principles into all aspects of our service delivery.
Our team members undergo training to ensure they understand the impact of trauma and can provide sensitive and supportive care. We prioritise building trusting relationships, empowering individuals to make their own choices, and creating culturally sensitive environments to support safety, healing and recovery through collaboration.