Trauma refers to the experience and lasting effects of an adverse event. Adverse or traumatic events can be a result of human intervention or natural disasters. Often these events take away one’s feelings of safety and security, leading to negative effects on behaviour, emotions, and beliefs. Relevant Resources: Understanding What the Words Mean: Trauma, Trauma-Informed, & Trauma-Sensitive (https://d9ca07f1-580f-4bc9-b64d-eb1ee3892f17.filesusr.com/ugd/6b301d_8701ef3eae234847b5adf3d96b05f646.pdf)

Disclosures, whether direct or indirect, are an important part of the healing process for many young people. If a young person discloses an adverse event to you, you may feel many emotions, such as anger, shock, or sadness. One of the most important things to remember when handling a disclosure is to stay calm and present when the young person is talking. The young person is most likely already dealing with a multitude of emotions, and it is important to ensure that your reaction does not add to those emotions. An acronym to remember when managing disclosures is RRR: Receive, Reassure, and Report. First receive: move to an environment where the young person feels safe, away from others. Be patient and listen actively. It may be difficult for the young person to express what they have gone through, and it may be difficult for you to hear as well. Second Reassure: reassure the young person that they are safe and that they did the right thing by sharing with you. Address any concerns you have about the young person’s safety, but avoid asking too many questions or probing too much. Lastly report: in many places, all adults, regardless of occupation, are mandatory reporters. Report the disclosure immediately, regardless of if you believe that someone else has already reported or that you do not have all the information. Relevant Resources: Disclosures p. 1-2, Child maltreatment P.3

We are currently developing more resource for caregivers on this topic. For some information, please see the TiPs sheet below. Relevant Resources: TiPs for Navigating Social Media Safely