In the face of news about suicides, attacks on immigrants and other communities of color, how do we care for ourselves and others? As community health center staff know well, trauma affects those who need care and those who deliver it day in and day out.
Recently, Alameda Health Consortium and Community Health Center Network joined Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services (BHCS) to host “Transforming Trauma – How to do this work and sustain.” It was led by Laura van Dernoot Lipsky from the Trauma Stewardship Institute. Laura is the founder and director of the Trauma Stewardship Institute and author of Trauma Stewardship: An Everyday Guide to Caring for Self While Caring for Others and has worked directly with trauma survivors for over 25 years. The event was a foundational training and addressed how we are impacted by current and past overwhelm, crises, toll, or trauma and establish concrete means for how to keep on keeping on both individually and collectively. More than 135 participants came from throughout the county, community based organizations, and the network of health centers to attend a morning of raising awareness of trauma, vicarious trauma, and systematic oppression. Overall, the event was a success!
In addition to mental health services at your local Community Health Center, the East Bay offers a range of services for those who need help:
- Crisis Text Line
- INSTITUTE ON AGING SERVICES: Friendship Line
- BACS [Bay Area Community Services]
- Casa Ubuntu Bonita House
- PEERS [Peers Envisioning and Engaging in Recovery Services]
- Boldly Me
Watch Laura’s reflective and thoughtful discussion around trauma and how to take care of ourselves: