Oral

The experience of trauma has long-term impacts on the physical and mental health of citizens. This session explores how clinical practice, the design of service delivery systems and public policy are used to mitigate the impact of national trauma. Sessions will address war, community violence, natural disasters and complex traumas experienced by people receiving services in our public health systems.

Session Objectives: Describe the relationship betwen exposure to war, community violence, natural disasters and historical trauma/poverty/incarceration on the mental health and physical health of victims and responders. Assess how public stakeholders can influence Federal policy in the wake of national trauma (using Newtown Tragedy's impact on national mental health policy, national gun policy, and mental illness stigma as a case example). Describe evidence-based and best-practices in Trauma Informed Care and Trauma Specific Interventions for people receiving public health services.