What Does It Mean To Be Trauma Aware?

Is trauma just a trendy psychological buzzword or is it something that desperately needs our attention? The latest research tells us that 70% of people worldwide will experience a traumatic event in their lifetime.* We know our experiences shape us, so it should come to no surprise that many people today are scarred from the wounds of past pain. This makes understanding trauma more crucial than ever before.

But what does it mean to be aware of the scope and impact of trauma? Or to ask more simply: What does it mean to be trauma aware? The answer to that question leads to another: How can trauma awareness transform the way we interact with others?

Defining Trauma Awareness

At its core, being trauma aware means recognizing that trauma exists and that it affects people in deep and lasting ways. It is essentially a recognition that many people carry the weight of painful experiences, and their behavior or emotional responses may not always be explained as simply personality traits or even sin. It is being open to the possibility that behavior or emotional reaction might linked to the previous experiences of a person’s story.

The Role of Compassion and Curiosity

Trauma awareness requires cultivating a mindset of compassion and curiosity rather than assumption and judgment. Instead of jumping to conclusions or offering quick solutions, we approach people’s stories with empathy and grace. We may not have all the answers or fully understand their struggle, but recognizing that trauma could be a factor helps create a relational climate and context where healing can begin.

Being trauma aware involves being open to the possibility of trauma in the person’s history and this consideration will influence our interactions and efforts of care. Being trauma aware prioritizes the relationship between yourself and the one needing care and focuses on understanding, collaboration, choice, and trust.

A Balanced Perspective of Trauma Awareness

Being trauma-aware does not mean labeling everyone as “traumatized” nor does it mean you assume that each and every struggle is rooted in trauma. Rather, it’s about using wisdom and discernment to recognize the possibility of trauma while maintaining a balanced perspective on the whole person. Trauma awareness encourages us to acknowledge the lasting effects of painful experiences, but it does not require us to prioritize trauma above all other factors influencing a person’s life.

We must gently explore people’s stories which will keep us from rushing to conclusions and will help promote healing in ways that are more appropriate and compassionate. Our help should be multi-faceted, and being trauma aware simply means traumatization is one aspect to consider.

The Church’s Role in Trauma Healing

This approach to care doesn’t just apply to counseling or formal settings. Trauma awareness can be integrated into churches, schools, workplaces, and even families. It means being mindful and curious about what might be connected to a person’s struggle.

As Christians, it’s more important than ever to grow in our ability to understand and care for those affected by trauma. This is not just a trend in counseling; it is a biblical mandate to love and serve others in ways that reflect God’s compassion and mercy.

The concept of being trauma aware is especially important for Christians because we are called to care for one another with the love and compassion that Christ has shown us. In Galatians 6:2, Paul encourages believers to “carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.” To carry each other’s burdens well, we need to understand the weight of those burdens, especially when trauma is involved.

The Impact of being Trauma Aware

In a world that is increasingly aware of mental health struggles, the church cannot afford to ignore the reality of trauma. Trauma awareness is not an optional skill for the church today; it is an essential part of compassionate, Christ-centered ministry. By fostering a trauma-aware approach to our relationships and care we can begin to deepen our impact on a world that so desperately needs eternal healing and hope.

* https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/post-traumatic-stress-disorder#:~:text=Around%2070%25%20of%20people%20globally,in%20their%20lives%20(2)

Read more in Trauma Aware by Eliza Huie

(This post was written by Eliza Huie and originally published for Harvest House Publishers.)