Information on Trauma

How does trauma affect families and individuals?

People who have been through traumatic events in their lives frequently experience change in a number of aspects of their life, affecting feelings, thinking and behaviour. Whilst these changes are considered normal and common reactions to a traumatic event, it is when these changes interfere with either family or individual functioning that psychotherapeutic help will be necessary. While people will react differently, families often report some of the following difficulties:

Feeling overwhelmed and sensitive to stress.
Relationship difficulties eg., between a couple, parent and child, or between siblings.
Poor communication between family members.
Family members feeling isolated.
Inability to talk about the effects of the trauma on the family.

Individuals often report the following difficulties:

Feeling alone and isolated.
Sleep disturbance and nightmares.
Recurring thoughts or images of the event.
Aggressiveness, anger, irritability.
Loss of trust in others.
Feelings of guilt and blame.
Loss of interest in everyday activities.
Concentration difficulties.

What is trauma therapy and how does it help?

Trauma therapy is a type of psychological treatment for those suffering from the effects of trauma. It draws from a number of proven therapeutic approaches, for example, family therapy, exposure therapy, EMDR, cognitive behaviour therapy, narrative therapy and play therapy. Research indicates that these approaches can be useful and they are aimed at:

Reducing and if possible eliminating trauma symptoms by teaching individuals special techniques to cope with their symptoms.
Promoting family functioning by helping family members support one another through the recovery process, preventing the development of further symptoms in family members.
Breaking the silence and emotional numbness imposed by trauma through telling their story in a safe, supportive environment.
Encouraging people to take back control of their lives, which can include support in practical problem solving around the effects of trauma.
Educating people about trauma so that they are encouraged to understand the impact of trauma on their lives.

CAIN (Conflict Archive on the Internet)

The CAIN website is devoted to providing a wide range of information and source material on the Northern Ireland conflict and politics in the region from 1968 to the present.

For more information access the CAIN website

Towards Healing – A Self Help Directory

The Victims Programme of the Fermanagh District Partnership have launched a directory containing contact and other relevant information on over 100 statutory, community and voluntary organisations and agencies in Northern Ireland. The directory was published in response to an expressed need in the community for easily accessible information on the range of support and services available in the county and further afield to assist those adversely affected by "the Troubles".

The directory is available in hard copy from:

Sean Coll
Community Victim Support Officer
Sperrin Lakeland Victims Programme
15 Elliott Place
Enniskillen
BT74 7HQ

Towards Healing Directory

A limited number of CD-ROM, audio-tape and braille copies are also available.

Rural Point – A Sign Posting Directory Of Rural Services And Support

This directory is the result of a joint project between Armagh and Dungannon Health Action Zone and Rural Community Network. This publication evolved out of a need to direct rural communities to services and support organisations, both voluntary and statutory at regional and local levels.

View the Rural Point Directory on line

and access further information specific to rural communities.

The Rural Community Network

The Rural Community Network (RCN) is a voluntary organisation established by local community organisations which aims to articulate the voice of rural communities on issues relating to poverty, disadvantage and equality.

RCN identifies needs in rural communities, seeks to influence policy decisions, and disseminates information on rural issues through a range of conferences, workshops and publications. The Rural Community Network seeks to address the issue of low community infrastructure by providing capacity building support for community groups, promoting training and education in community development and by encouraging networking links at local, regional, cross border and international levels.

For more information access the Rural Community Network website

The Northern Ireland Music Therapy Trust (NIMTT)

The NIMTT is a registered charity founded in 1990 by Dr Michael Swallow OBE to provide a comprehensive music therapy service throughout Northern Ireland. NIMTT provides music therapy programmes for assessed groups and individuals in hospitals, day centers, schools, prisons and other venues. Clinical music therapy is offered to children and adults of all ages. It is providing a service through the medium of music to individuals who are often excluded from mainstream provision because of the extent of their difficulties with comprehension and/or communication.

For further information please contact:-

Miss Karen Diamond
Head Therapist
Graham House
Knockbracken Healthcare Park
Saintfield Road
Belfast
BT8 8DH

Tel No: 028 9070 5854
E-Mail: nimttbelfast@talk21.com

Post Graduate Certificate In The Management And Care Of Psychological Trauma

Staffcare is a provider of a range of employee assistance programmes to statutory, voluntary and private organisations throughout Ireland and beyond. It supports employers in meeting their duty of care, by offering a confidential counselling service to their employees, traumatic incident support, training, consultancy and mediation.

The organisation provdes training in a range of "people care subjects". In partnership with the University of Ulster, Staffcare has developed a one year Post Graduate Certificate in Management and Care of Psychological Trauma course. The course isthe first post-graduate certificate offered within Ireland for professionals specialising in this type of work. The modules contained in the course have been specifically designed to address the need to integrate theory, current research and practice for professionals in a way that will enhance the services that they provide for people who have experienced trauma in their lives.

The course attracted social workers, psychiatric nurses, health visitors, teachers, voluntary sector suport workers and an occupational psychologist.

For further information contact:

Staffcare
Nore Villa
Knockbracken Healthcare Park
Saintfield Road
Belfast
BT8 8BH

Tel No: 028 9056 5683
Fax No: 028 9056 5727

For more information access the Staffcare website

Carers Northern Ireland

There are an estimated 250,000 people in Northern Ireland looking after a disabled, frail or ill friend or relative. The care they provide is unpaid.

Carers Northern Ireland offers a confidential and independent information service that provides carers throughout Northern Ireland with vital information on benefits, community care and other issues related to caring.

In recent months, there have been changes to policy and legislation which will give carers in Northern Ireland new rights to benefits and practical help.

To obtain a free information pack, write to:-

Carers Northern Ireland
Freepost
Bel493
Belfast
BT1 6BR

or telephone Lesley Johnston, Information Officer, on 028 9043 9843

NICVA Outreach Programme

The NICVA’s Outreach Programme will offer free practical help to voluntary and community groups in Council District areas across Northern Ireland. The programme provides both training and one-to-one advice on issues that affect local groups. Issues include completing funding application forms, using ICT to fundraise, drafting governing documents and constitutions and applying for charitable status. For more information on this programme please phone a member of the Information and Advice team on 028 9087 7777 or e-mail outreach@nicva.org or visit the NICVA website

The Prisoner Release Victim Information Scheme

The Prisoner Release Victim Information Scheme provides victims of prisoners with information on the final discharge and temporary release of prisoners. To request an information leaflet including an application form or for further advice telephone: - 0845 247 0002 or visit the Prisoner Release Victim Information Scheme website

Ethical Standards And Protocols For Research With Victims

During the consultation exercise on the victims’ strategy, "Reshape, Rebuild, Achieve", a number of correspondents expressed the view that there should be agreed criteria and ethical standards of practice that should be followed by researchers working with victims.

Research Branch of the Equality Directorate within OFMDFM commissioned Paul Connolly of the University of Ulster to produce protocols and ethical standards for researching vulnerable groups including victims. Access the full report "Ethical Principals for Researching Vulnerable Groups". (PDF 90 KB, 38 pages )

Journey Towards Healing

The purpose of Journey Towards Healing is to improve support to those who have experienced trauma. As a support resource for trauma survivors, since 2002 its particular focus has been on developing the trauma knowledge and trauma support skills of people within faith communities.