Stress- and trauma-sensitivity (basic principles)
The basic principles of stress- and trauma-sensitivity presented below are guidelines for action. They counteract psychological and social dynamics which can be triggered by the existentially threatening traumatic experiences and then have destructive and stressful consequences:
1. Security
- Reduce fear and stress in the face of threats.
- Convey a sense of security despite the stress of simply surviving and/or fundamental insecurity.
- Create trust and confidence in light of breaches of trust and loss of confidence in oneself or other people.
2. Strengthening
- Empowerment in light of the experiences of extreme helplessness.
- Strengthen self-esteem in light of gender-specific denigration.
3. Solidarity and connection
- Acknowledge the suffering in light of the feelings of shame and guilt.
- Convey an experience of solidarity, connection and social participation in light of isolation and discrimination.
- Adopt an integrated, holistic view of the affected person in their social environment in light of dissociation mechanisms.
4. Mindful Organisational Culture, and self-care
- Promote competencies to deal with stress in light of heightened exposure to stress.
- Awareness for dynamics of splitting and disunity in the group when faced with systemic trauma dynamics.
- Mindfulness when faced with the risks of indirect traumatisation and burnout. • Enhance resilience when dealing with existential crises.
