Trauma Informed Care and Practice: Towards a cultural shift in policy reform across mental health and human services in Australia

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By April 17, 2015 No Comments

Authors: Mental Health Coordinating Council (MHCC), NSW; Adults Surviving Child Abuse (ASCA)

Year: 2013

Event: 2013 TheMHS Awards

Subject:

Type of resource: TheMHS Awards

Award state: NSW

Award level: Silver

Award category: Mental Health Promotion or Mental Illness Prevention Program or Project

Abstract: Research demonstrates that people with trauma histories manifest high rates of mental and physical health problems, present at a wide range of health and human services where their underlying trauma is rarely acknowledged, identified or appropriately addressed. MHCC and ASCA are driving a national initiative to embed Trauma-Informed Care and Practice (TICP) principles across all human services, in which all aspects of service delivery are organised around an awareness of and sensitivity to trauma dynamics and its prevalence. Additionally ASCA and MHCC with partner organisations established a national advisory working group in 2011. They have progressed the reform agenda at a policy, systems, organisational and workforce /practitioner level by: facilitating a ground-breaking international trauma conference (2011); developing organisational ‘Integration of a TICP Approach’ Policy (MHCC); publishing ‘Practice Guidelines’ an international first setting standards across practice domains (ASCA); building capacity through professional development and training; presenting papers at key national/international conferences and launching a position paper to drive the national agenda for systemic cross-sector reform. Description of Facility/Organisation: MHCC is the NSW peak body representing over 200 community-managed organisations whose activity is related to delivery of recovery orientated services for people affected by mental illness. Funded primarily by NSW Health MHCC retains 26 employees with a budget of $3.9K (2012/13). MHCC participate extensively in policy and sector development, facilitate linkages with State and Commonwealth Governments; is a registered training organisation delivering nationally accredited training; and conducts collaborative research projects/programs on behalf of the sector. ASCA is the peak national body for adults with lived experience of childhood trauma/abuse. ASCA combines consumer participation with research, academic and clinical expertise. It receives funding primarily from Federal government -DoHA and FaHCSIA, has 5 FTE + contractors on its 1300 professional support line and delivering training with annual budget $506,000 (2012). It advocates for increased awareness, and delivers programs, grounded in research, for survivors and those who support them personally, therapeutically and organisationally.

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