In this episode, Elijah Rising interviews Desirie Dougall, our restoration program director. We discuss the question, “What is trauma?” Besides giving the basic definitions of trauma we also talk about the difference between PTSD and complex PTSD. We’ll explain why understanding trauma is so important in the process of helping women who’ve survived trafficking heal.
No matter where you come from, odds are you’ve experienced something traumatic. In the second half of the episode, we talk about communal trauma and relate it to what we are going through right now with the COVID-19 crisis.
You will also hear an update from our restoration program and the challenges we are currently facing in the pandemic.
Trauma Resources
If something has happened in your life that has caused you extreme emotional stress and anxiety, and it’s not going away or getting better in a few days, you need to reach out. Or if the severity of your stress is so great that you feel like you might hurt yourself or somebody else, absolutely reach out for help. There are resources available online and by phone such as:
SAMHSA, (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration – 1.800.662.HELP
National Suicide Prevention Healthline – 1.800.273.8255. For kids and teenagers text CONNECT to 741741
National Hopeline Network – 1.800.442.HOPE
All of these are 24/7 hotlines, there are others that are available Monday-Friday 8-5 that can be found online as well.
