We know that COVID-19 has been stressful for many students, families and education staff. Some may experience the stress as trauma. There are a variety of trauma-informed practice resources available to assist the education sector in supporting those traumatically affected during the pandemic.
Trauma-informed practice is described as a compassionate lens of understanding that is helpful to all children, youth and adults, especially those who have experienced traumatic events and early hardships. Trauma-informed practice emphasizes that all behaviour and actions happen for a reason and it is up to each of us, in our helping capacity, to acknowledge the impact trauma can have and to find ways to support each other with compassion.
The North America Center for Threat Assessment
and Trauma Recovery (NACTATR) has released
guidelines for re-entry into the school setting during the pandemic. These guidelines are intended to set the standard as the most comprehensive trauma-informed and systems-based practice for supporting students, staff and their families.
The Ministry of
Education
Compassionate Learning Communities - Supporting Trauma-Informed Practice website has resources—including presentations, handouts and tip sheets—to support schools and districts in further developing their trauma-informed practice. When school communities are equipped to support those impacted by trauma, they become compassionate learning communities.
