Policy Guidance on Screening for Trauma

Date

2015

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Missouri Department of Mental Health

Abstract

As organizations begin to travel along the path of becoming trauma informed, a common first step is to explore implementation of screening for trauma. This would seem to make natural sense from a global perspective. However in actuality this raises many issues that should be examined through the “trauma lens” prior to taking action. There is an inherent tension around screening within the context of trauma. On one hand identification of a trauma history is critical to be able to effectively support and respond to an individual and we want to promote open discussion of trauma We must balance this with the risks related to triggering and re-traumatizing the individual if we ask intrusive questions without consideration of the potential negative impact and our capacities and willingness to respond to the individual’s reaction. Under the Missouri Model: A Developmental Framework for Trauma Informed an organization begins to explore issues pertinent to screening early in the process, but implements screening only after the organization is working at the trauma responsive level. (Author Introduction)

Description

Keywords

child abuse, research into practice, mental health services, evidence-based, guidelines, policy

Citation

Missouri State Trauma Roundtable (2015). Policy Guidance on Screening for Trauma. Jefferson City, MO: Missouri Department of Mental Health.

DOI