The Center for Collaborative Study of Trauma, Health Equity, and Neurobiology
GLOSSARY
Secondary Trauma
SECONDARY TRAUMA is the emotional stress that results when an individual hears about or witnesses traumatic experiences of another.
First Responders and healthcare providers have high exposure to the traumatic experiences of others and are at risk of SECONDARY TRAUMA.
One responsibility of healthcare organizations, public service agencies, police-fire departments and more – is to recognize that SECONDARY TRAUMA is real and a genuine risk – and to help minimize staff risk by providing regular mechanisms to help front line providers debrief from witnessing others’ trauma and to support provider self-regulation.
Through training and self-awareness, we can take steps to:
- minimize SECONDARY TRAUMA
- become aware of our own personal trauma
- prevent BURNOUT while caring for others - allowing us to improve our own health
RESOURCES:
- THEN video about Secondary Trauma and prevention
- National Child Traumatic Stress Network.
- TED: Beyond the Cliff by Laura van Dernoot Lipsky. A funny and profound first person narrative of cumulative trauma and resilience. Video