information for CARD HOLDERs
What is the Young Person’s Trauma Resource?
The Healthwatch Essex Young Person’s Trauma Resource – the keyring – has been created by the Healthwatch Essex Trauma Ambassador Group, a group of people with lived experience of trauma, and coproduced with young people from across Essex.
Often when we are living with the effects of difficult things that have happened, or are happening, in our lives, we find certain situations difficult. We might feel and show this in lots of different ways, such as anger, shutting down, becoming upset or becoming loud. When this happens, we find it really difficult to focus on the situation, and the person that we are interacting with doesn’t usually understand that this is because of trauma. They might think that we are just being difficult, and we find it very hard to explain what is actually going on for us.
The keyring is designed to be a tool to empower young people to make professionals they are interacting with aware when they are experiencing the effects of trauma. The keyring can be used in many different settings, including school, college, GP surgery, hospital, and any other type of appointment, class or group. It is designed to inform the professional that you show it to about trauma and how to better support young people living with the effects of trauma.
We understand that for young people, there are many specific ways in which trauma can be experienced and affects which it can have. You can carry the keyring with you so that it’s nearby if you feel the need to show it to someone, to help them understand what is happening for you.
If you have used the keyring we would be grateful if you could share feedback on your experiences with us here.
Request a Trauma Keyring
We primarily partner with organisations to offer Trauma Cards to groups of people. If you are an individual wanting to carry a card for your own personal use, you can order one of the original Healthwatch Essex Trauma Cards for free here.
Request a Trauma Card
We primarily partner with organisations to offer Trauma Cards to groups of people. If you are an individual wanting to carry a card for your own personal use, you can order one of the original Healthwatch Essex Trauma Cards for free here.
Trauma can be defined as an event, or series of events, which are very stressful, frightening, distressing and/or disturbing. Causes of trauma include experiencing violence or abuse, exposure to crime and bereavement; however, it is very much an individual reaction and there is no complete list of causes.
Trauma can be triggered at any stage in a person’s life and occurs when some kind of external factor causes them to recall the event which was traumatic to them. Trauma can be experienced from birth, so there is no age limit to be affected. Again, triggers are very personal and hugely varied, but some common examples can include a smell, visual object or a certain word or phrase. For young people, the stress of professional and formal environments can be particularly challenging.
The reactions caused by trauma are equally unique but often can be likened to the symptoms of a panic attack. The instinct may well be to retreat, shut down on an emotional and/or communicative level, or to react with a desire to protect themselves. Reactions can be of a physical, emotional and psychological manner. The effects have a huge impact on the individual personally, not just in the moment when the trigger occurs but for some time after. They can be hugely distressing for the individual concerned.
There are organisations who can offer you support in living with trauma. Your GP is always a good place to start, or a member of the teaching or pastoral care staff at your school/college, but you may also find the following helpful:
- NSPCC | The UK children’s charity | NSPCC
- Useful contacts for support – for 11-18 year olds | Mind
- The Children’s Society | UK children’s charity
Whilst some of these sites may promote paid for services, these are not cited as being essential by Healthwatch Essex and are entirely the choice of the individual.
For a confidential discussion about your individual circumstances and signposting or referral to services specific to your needs and area, please contact the Healthwatch Essex
Information & Guidance team. They are available Monday-Friday, 9am -5pm, to provide information, signposting and support. Outside of these times a voicemail can be left, and you will be called back at the earliest opportunity. We are here to assist individuals living with the effects of trauma with all aspects of their health, care and wellbeing, as well as their friends, families and professionals engaging with them.
Please be aware that, if you are under the age of 18, you can speak with any professional in an educational or health setting about events which have happened for you that are traumatic, and they should be happy to listen and support you. They do however have a legal duty to act to safeguard you, if they have reason to believe that you are at risk of harm in any way. This means that they may ask questions to fully understand the situation, and if they have concerns, they will not be able to keep what you tell them a secret, as they will have to raise their concerns with other professionals who can put things in place to make you safe.
