SAMHSA’s Concept of Trauma and Guidance for a Trauma-Informed Approach

SAMHSA wrote this document to inform broad audiences about trauma, the need to address it, and the necessity for trauma-informed communities and organizations. This resource lays out a framework for trauma and trauma-informed approaches to be applied to child welfare, education, criminal justice, primary healthcare, the military, and other sectors. SAMHSA also provides background information on the concept of traumatic stress and guidance on the key principles behind trauma-informed approaches that are key to implementing them in communities.