S.T.A.R. - Stress, Treatment, Awareness, and Recovery

STAR - Connie Frances & David Shern

Mental Health America is proud to partner with the legendary singer Connie Francis on an important new national campaign-S.T.A.R. (Stress, Treatment, Awareness, and Recovery).

The purpose is to educate and inform the public and health professionals about the impact of trauma and the importance of Trauma-Informed Care. This campaign is not about being a star, but rather, shining a light on what we know about trauma as well as supporting those in need.

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Stress

We often talk about stress in our life. We all have it. But there is a much more serious stress-loss of a job, living in a situation where you feel helpless or hopeless; a difficult life situation that you can't conquer or even manage. Those experiences can put in motion what is known as toxic stress; where it builds and overcomes you and can cause you to become ill.

Trauma

According to the American Psychological Association (APA) Trauma is defined as an emotional response to a terrible event like an accident, rape or natural disaster. Shock and denial are typical responses immediately following the event. Longer term reactions include unpredictable emotions, flashbacks, strained relationships and even physical symptoms such as headaches or nausea.

Experiencing a traumatic event is a very serious situation. We know about our vets serving here and abroad. But many other people experience similar trauma but in different situations. If untreated, trauma can damage a person's physical and emotional health. It can lead to addiction, severe mental illness, and may other very harmful consequences. The earlier in life the traumatic event happens, the more harmful it is.

STARTreatment, Awareness and Recovery

That's where the recovery comes in. Just as we know more about conditions, we also know more about treatment options. In particular, there is a new generation of care called Trauma-Informed Care. Trauma informed care asks "What happened to you?" rather than "What's wrong with you?" It puts control back in the hands of the traumatized person so that they can feel safe again. It encourages people to talk about their trauma in their own time and in their own way. Staff who are trained in the delivery of this kind of care know that they have to earn the trust of their clients because they may not trust anyone after experiencing a traumatic event.

Resources

Connie Francis: STAR




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