The 4 R's of Trauma

Understanding trauma is foundational to building resilient communities that can regenerate well-being. CCE offers professional development opportunities and workshops on how to create trauma-sensitive and resilience-building environments.

Here are the 4 R’s of Trauma. Trauma is often described as an event or a series of events that is experienced and has lasting effects on a person’s mental, physical, social, or spiritual well-being. There are four key assumptions that SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency) says should be made.

• Realize Trauma: A program, organization, or system that is trauma-informed REALIZES the widespread impact of trauma and understands potential paths for recovery.
• Recognize Trauma: A program, organization, or system that is trauma-informed RECOGNIZES the signs and symptoms of trauma in clients, families, staff, and others involved with the system.
• Respond to Trauma: A program, organization, or system that is trauma-informed RESPONDS by fully integrating knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, and practices.
• Resist (Re)traumatization: A program, organization, or system that is trauma-informed actively seeks prevention and RESISTS (RE)TRAUMATIZATION.

To learn more about trauma and resilience, you can visit https://store.samhsa.gov/product/samhsas-concept-trauma-and-guidance-trauma-informed-approach/sma14-4884.

Last updated January 21, 2025