Trauma-Responsive Schools (2023)

Key Takeaways: 

• Trauma-responsive schools = school mental health not illness 
• Learning about how our brains work is important and helpful
• Step #1 for schools: Revisit (and celebrate) what you’re already doing

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Watch Recording

Short video: Hand model of the brain

Additional Resources: 

Resources for violence prevention:

Missouri Model for Trauma-Informed Schools:

School Mental Health Initiative and TASN

Take a break teacher toolbox

Self-care resources for educators or helping professionals

Happy teachers practice self-care:

Developing a self-care plan

12 choices to help you step back from burnout

Happy Teacher revolution

What systems/practices do you already have?

Identify strengths and areas of growth

Strategies and resources to create a Trauma-Sensitive school

National Conference of State Legislators, “The Pair of Aces”

The Washington Post, “4 ways to break the cycle of intergenerational trauma”

Key takeaways: 

• Start with strengths to gain traction & buy-in
• Be trauma-responsive in your approach to trauma-responsiveness
• Be prepared for humans to human (have resources)

View Presentation

Watch Recording

Additional Resources: 

Trauma Sensitive Schools Checklist

Missouri Model for Trauma-Informed Schools

Mammalian Brain Video

Key Takeaways: 

• Tiers, not tears: use a tiered model for trauma-responsive schools
• Consider whole-school and whole-community approach using something like Psychological First Aid (PFA is different than Mental Health First Aid)
• Effective trauma-responsive strategies = science + the art of implementation

View Presentation

Watch Recording

Additional Resources:  

DeStressMonday website:

Resources to create a trauma-sensitive school PDF

Review tool for school policies: