May is Mental Health Awareness Month – CHIL programs utilize Trauma-Informed Care best practices
- Covenant House Illinois
- May 9, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: May 10, 2023
Year-round, but especially this month, CHIL programs offer opportunities for young people to focus on their mental health.
CHIL staff at all levels receive regular trauma-informed care training to help recognize and respond to the signs of previous trauma, approach clients through a strength-based lens, and provide a young person with safety, respect, and choice.
Pictured above is one of our quarterly trauma-informed care trainings, mandatory for all CHIL employees.
Our trauma-informed care model promotes recovery and prevents re‐traumatization by supporting each individual’s choice and providing them with control to create space for their own physical and emotional safety throughout housing programs.
“Many of our young people have survived extremely traumatic experiences at very young, impressionable ages. Our program’s practices avoid triggering painful memories and re-traumatization. For example, domestic violence survivors need different approaches to counseling and care, not only when they first arrive during the intake process but also throughout their journey, while working with our case managers or cohabitating on the residential floor. This distinction in care from other providers is what drew me to come and work for CHIL, to be able to provide the best care,” says Gwendolyn Williams-Pettis, Residential and Youth Development Program Manager.
In addition to our regular programming, CHIL’s program calendar is filled with activities that foster healthy mental health practices. Monthly programming includes guided meditations, group discussions about coping with and managing stress, and physical exercise classes such as dance movement for anxiety. Follow us on social to see our programming in action:
CHIL provides resources tailored specifically to meet the unique needs of young people experiencing homelessness. Help us continue to provide high-quality, personalized care to youth in need by making a donation today: https://www.covenanthouseil.org/donate
It’s heartening to see CHIL programs prioritizing Trauma-Informed Care during Mental Health Awareness Month. Creating safe, supportive environments is crucial for lasting well-being. At Safari Company Tanzania, we truly believe that mental health is the foundation of every great experience. Just as we strive to offer gentle, restorative journeys through nature, it’s vital that we foster that same compassion in our daily lives and workplaces. Taking the time to understand trauma changes how we interact and support one another. Thanks for highlighting such an essential practice; it’s a meaningful reminder that kindness and awareness should always be our top priorities.
This is a fantastic post! Recognizing the importance of Trauma-Informed Care during Mental Health Awareness Month is such a vital step toward building safer, more supportive communities. When programs focus on understanding the impact of trauma rather than just labeling behaviors, it truly transforms how we support children and families.
It is a bit like how we approach life’s daily stressors; we always want to be prepared and protected, whether that’s finding the best car insurance brampton drivers need or ensuring our mental health support systems are robust and reliable. Thanks for highlighting these essential best practices—keep up the great work!
This is such an important topic to highlight during Mental Health Awareness Month! Implementing trauma-informed care within CHIL programs is a game-changer; shifting the focus from "what’s wrong with you" to "what happened to you" truly creates the safety and trust necessary for real healing.
It is honestly just as important to take care of our own well-being, too. Whether it’s finding time for therapy or planning some relaxing new zealand holidays to recharge, prioritizing mental health is vital. Thanks for sharing these best practices—it’s inspiring to see systems evolving to support people more compassionately and effectively!
It’s incredibly heartening to see CHIL programs prioritizing trauma-informed care during Mental Health Awareness Month. Creating safe, supportive environments is essential for healing and long-term well-being. This compassionate approach to support services truly makes a world of difference for everyone involved.
Taking care of your health really is holistic, whether it’s mental or physical. Just as we need specialized care for our emotional needs, finding the right professional for your physical health is equally important. For example, if you are looking for a reliable Dentist in Oakville, prioritizing a practice that makes you feel comfortable and understood is always the right move.
Thank you for sharing this. It’s so encouraging to see programs actually putting trauma-informed care into practice, because too many places just talk about it without real follow-through. I’ve personally found that checking real client experiences can be just as eye-opening for choosing support services - like reading Goodwill reviews helped me understand how different locations handle people with past trauma, and that made me more confident in picking a place that truly listens. It’s a small step, but knowing others’ honest stories can guide us to the right help when we need it most.