Project

Trauma-sensitive support for homeless persons with mental health problems

Code
DOCT/002609
Duration
04 October 2021 → 21 September 2025 (Ongoing)
Doctoral researcher
Research disciplines
  • Social sciences
    • Orthopedagogical interventions
    • Special needs education
Keywords
trauma homeless trauma-informed care
 
Project description

In the past years, the concept of trauma-informed care (TIC) has gained notice in the Flemish mental health care system. Childhood trauma and its impact has been widely researched. The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) study and further research have shown the wide prevalence of childhood adversity, its impact on the brain’s stress-response system and its influence on a myriad of physical and mental health problems. ACE are significantly more prevalent in (formerly) homeless people. Offering trauma treatment to people experiencing homelessness is inevident due to various personal and societal obstacles. However, the need for TIC for this target group is unmistakable. We’ve conducted interviews with care workers working with (formerly) homeless people. They were asked about prevalence and signals of trauma in their clients, how they respond as service providers and which needs they experience concerning TIC. We conclude the following: respondents confirm the high prevalence of trauma in their clients and already implement several aspects of TIC in their daily work. Most participants express a need for trauma-informed care training and for organisational shifts to improve TIC. The recommendations from these interviews will be included in the creation of an online TIC guideline for frontline workers and accessible service providers.