World Trauma Day 2021
17 October
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), trauma is a major cause of death and disability across the world.
In Commemoration of World Trauma Day, emphasises the importance of saving and protecting a life during the most critical moments and preparing and applying critical measures to deal with and avoid trauma fatalities.
Healthcare is a stressful profession under typical circumstances. But the COVID-19 pandemic has added multiple layers of stress and trauma to each day. Healthcare workers are carrying the burden of system-wide unpreparedness, regularly witnessing traumatic events, and getting little time to properly take care of themselves. Without intervention, many are at high-risk for developing trauma-related disorders.
What is trauma?
Emotional and psychological trauma is an emotional response to a distressing event or situation that breaks your sense of security. Traumatic experiences often involve a direct threat to life or safety, but anything that leaves you feeling overwhelmed or isolated can result in trauma. While it’s common for most people to deal with fear and anxiety during and immediately after a traumatic event, everyone’s emotional response is unique. While some people will naturally recover with time, others may continue to experience trauma and stress-related symptoms.
How can I prevent trauma from turning into PTSD?
Experiencing a traumatic event isn’t a sure sign that you will develop PTSD. Everyone’s response to trauma will differ based on numerous factors, including pre-pandemic conditions and resources.
Professional Trauma debriefing and counselling can contribute significantly to build resilience and to recover from trauma. And can lower your risk of long-term distress.
