If you turn on the evening news any day of the week, you will view numerous instances of individuals experiencing trauma. From car accidents and lost hikers to military engagements and terror attacks, trauma is pervasive. Even Oprah Winfrey and 60 Minutes have recognized the impact of trauma. However, most traumas do not include a highly publicized event, and reaction to trauma is individual and varied in presentation. Coping mechanisms can be so subtle that families and professionals may fail to recognize them for what they are, a normal reaction to abnormal circumstances.
The need for trauma informed care is essential in the fields of behavioral health and substance use. According to the National Council for Behavioral Health, 55%-99% of women in substance use treatment and 85%-95% of women in the public mental health system report a history of trauma, often having occurred in childhood. These facts are part of the motivation behind Rose Hill Center’s initiative to become one of SAMHA’s Trauma-Informed Care Centers of Excellence.
To address this need, Rose Hill obtained a grant from The Flinn Foundation to become a certified trauma–informed services. Every member of the Rose Hill Staff will be participating in ongoing trauma therapy training. Cheryl Wallace, Vice President of Services, and Laura Mueller, Director of Admission began the initial training at the recent National Council for Behavioral Health conference (NATCON).
Rose Hill’s dedication to our residents is evident in the inclusion of multiple employees across a variety of departments who will come together to form a trauma informed implementation action team. Team members will participate in ongoing training through The National Council, continual web-based training and collaboration with trauma informed treatment specialists to be able to continue the practice of ongoing trauma-informed care. The concepts of trauma informed care are essential to quality care and treatment. Commitment to improving the treatment and services at Rose Hill is the motivation behind our pursuit of certification as one of SAMHSA’s trauma centers of excellence.
Rose Hill has had clinicians specifically trained in the treatment of trauma for many years. However, this new initiative is designed to create a true culture change throughout the campus. The pervasive nature of trauma in today’s society will now be mirrored in a pervasive culture of trauma informed care across the Rose Hill community
