Trauma, Abuse, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Young Minds offers general information about PTSD, its symptoms, what to do about it, and its treatment

  • Crisis service messenger system: available 24/7
    • Text YM to 85258—FREE for EE, O2, Vodafone, 3, Virgin Mobile, BT mobile, GiffGaff,

Tesco Mobile, and Telecom Plus

Teens Heath: offers general information about abuse such as the different types of abuse, recognising it, why abuse happens, what the effects are, and what someone who’s being abused to

The Mix: general information about PTSD, its causes, symptoms, and where help might be available

Mind has a webpage on abuse which is split into different sections for different types of abuse. It also contains links to service finders for local services.

Childline: website for individuals ages 19 and below

Anxiety UK: offers support, help, and information of different anxiety disorders including PTSD, and Panic Disorder

Kooth: Free, safe and anonymous online support for young people.

  • Link: https://www.kooth.com/
  • Online chat sessions available from Mon-Fri 12pm-10pm and Sat-Sun 6pm-10pm
  • You can also read stories written by other young peoplee, and write in a daily journal

Elefriends is a supportive online community for children and adolescents to find other individuals going through some of the same issues

  • All you have to do is make a free account (all messages are monitored by trained staff before they are uploaded to avoid bullying)
  • Link: https://www.elefriends.org.uk/

The Hideout provides help, information and support for children and young people suffering from domestic violence

NIA: third sector service that supports women, children and young people who have experienced male violence.

  • Covers all of East London, including Redbridge.
  • They offer counselling and prioritise individuals under 18s.
  • Opening hours:
    • Mon, Tues, Fri, Sat (10am-12pm)
    • Mon, Wed, Thur, Fri (2:30pm-4:30pm)
    • Tue, Wed, Thur (6pm-8pm
  • Telephone: 0800 160 1036
  • Link: www.niaendingviolence.org.uk

Life center offers telephone counselling, support, and information for survivors of sexual abuse and for anyone supporting them

Violence against women and girls (VAWG) supports clients experiencing all forms of abuse including domestic violence, sexual violence and sexual exploitation including human trafficking and modern slavery, stalking and harassment, female genital mutilation, forced marriage and so-called ‘honour’- based violence.

  • Provides confidential, non-judgmental, independent support on a one-to-one or group basis.
    • Create a tailor-made safety and support plans
    • The service also runs group sessions and a peer support scheme to help reduce isolation, build social networks and support clients to regain control of their lives.
  • Offers safety and support plans includes…
    • Personal safety information
    • Support if you need to contact the police
    • Support in relation to going to court
  • Securing an injunction
  • Safe housing options
  • Safe child contact
  • Opportunities to discuss concerns and fears with someone that understands.
  • Based in Redbridge includes specialist gender-based violence advocates to support women and men who are at risk of serious harm, a young people’s advocate for young girls aged 14-17 years old, and a children’s outreach worker who works with children and the non-abusing parent.
  • Support can be accessed by calling 0800 169 7759 (Monday – Friday; 09:00 to 17:00) or e- mailing redbridgevawg@refuge.org.uk

Barnardo’s

  • Tiger (Trauma Informed Growth and Empowered Recovery) Light Service
    • Short term CBT trauma-informed intervention (~10-11 weeks)
    • For children 4-18 years old (21 if they have additional needs) that have suspicion of abuse, allegations of abuse or exploitation
    • Do not take self-referrals
    • Work in Barking and Dagenham, City of London, Hackney, Havering, Newham, Redbridge, Tower Hamlets, and Waltham Forest
  • For more information call 0207 790 4621 or email tigerservices@barnardos.org.uk
  • Link: https://www.barnardos.org.uk/what-we-do/services/tiger-services
  • Taith Service: for children and adolescents (ages 5-12) demonstrating harmful sexual behaviors.

SurvivorsUK is a service for young (13-18years old) and adult males who are victims of sexual abuse open to anyone living in the UK

  • Offer group and 1:1 counselling sessions that are free for young people and have no waiting list. Because of COVID, counselling is done over the phone or over video
  • They also have independent sexual violence advisors who are there to help victims who want to make a report to the police
  • Self-referrals are accepted: you can either call 02035983898 or fill out the referral form on their website (if you would like a professional to make the referral, they still need written consent from you through email)
  • Link: https://www.survivorsuk.org/young-people/

Families Together Hub

  • Reach Out is a dedicated service to support victims of domestic abuse to increase the access to interventions quickly, reducing delay and promoting safety
    • Every victim’s story, every professional referral is believed
    • Victims of domestic abuse can self-refer to this service in two ways:
      • A freephone telephone number: 0800 1456410 available from Monday- Friday 9am-5pm. If you are calling outside of these hours the automated message will ask you to either call 999 or the National Domestic Abuse helpline on 0800 2000 247
      • Through email at reachout@redbridge.gov.uk
    • Social workers are the first responders who screen all of the referral
  • Freedom Programme (support for young people) is a domestic violence programme providing information, not therapy
    • Suitable for both victims of domestic abuse or for perpetrators who wish to change their attitudes and behaviours.
    • Provides trauma informed therapeutic support
  • Free your mind supports young people who have experienced and witnessed childhood domestic abuse.
  • Phoenix Project (support for young people) delivered in partnership with Barnardo’s to support families that are experiencing domestic abuse
    • Aim: to improve children’s mental health and wellbeing
    • Works with children who have witnessed domestic abuse and or parental conflict to improve mental health through short range of interventions including direct and group work with children/young people and their families
    • Delivered in weekly sessions with children separate from parents. Families are then brought together to allow parents to hear of their children’s experiences and they are then supported to improve family communication and wellbeing
  • Referrals can be made to the Families Together Hub via their referral form for the Freedom Programme or if children have been affected or witnessed domestic abuse for the Free Your Mind and Phoenix Project

FREE YOUR MIND REFERRAL FORM 202

Free Your Mind: Charity that supports individuals that have experienced childhood domestic violence and abuse in the home. Provide therapeutic support for children and young people coping with the trauma of living around Domestic Abuse.

  • Services: therapeutic support services remotely and from their private comforting spaces.

Provide…

  • Mindfulness CBT, Certified Trauma Play Therapy CTP, Solution-based Counselling,

Emotional Freedom Technique and Thought Field Tapping Therapy and more

  • Each weekly or fortnightly hourly session is tailored for children and young people aged 6-25 years old.
  • Referral process: based in Redbridge – sessions currently being done via phone or video call due to COVID
    • Referrals from Redbridge social services are free as they are funded by the Redbridge Council.All other referrals must fund the sessions for the children themselves (including self- referrals): 25 pounds a session
  • if you’re interested in seeking sessions with us email us at: info@freeyourmindcic.com
  • Online group forums: Free Your mind CIC private Facebook online support group
  • Online chat service specifically for children in need of support (from 10am-10pm everyday)
  • For information about referral forms please email info@freeyourmindcic.com
  • Website: Home | Free Your Mind CIC

Mind

Offers practical suggestions about looking after yourself when living with PTSD.

Get Self Help.co.uk

Ready to remember - Jeremy’s story of hope and healing

  • What is it about? Brings to life the story of Jeremy, a 10-year-old boy, following the tragic death of his father. This video walks you through Jeremy's story and describes his journey as he and his family get help and are able to enjoy happy memories together
  • Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZ5mK0o_lNo&feature=emb_ti tle

A child’s perspective of a traumatic experience (Sesame Street)

Coping with Traumatic Events (Centre for Disease and Control Prevention)

What is it about? Dr. Rodney Hammond provides information on how you might feel when experiencing a traumatic Event

Brain Model of PTSD: Psychoeducation Video (London Trauma Specialists)

PTSD and ME: Real Life Child Mental Health Experiences (Nip in the Bud)

What Trauma Taught Me About Resilience (TEDxCharlotte)

A terrible thing happened (ages 4-7) by Margaret M Holmes and Sasha J Mudlaff

Recommended by the National Alliance of Mental Illness

  • What is it about? Sherman Smith saw the most terrible thing happen, something he never described. At first, he tried to forget about it, but he began feeling nervous and had bad dreams. Then he met someone who helped him talk about the terrible thing and made him feel better.

Healing days: a guide for kids who have experienced trauma (ages 6-11) by Susan Farber Straus—Recommended by the American Psychological Associatio What is it about ? A sensitive and reassuring story intended for children who have experienced a trauma and covers the feelings, thoughts, and behaviors that many kids have after a bad and scary thing happens

A Safe Place for Rufus by Jill Seeny—Recommended by Little Parachute

  • Tells the story of Rufus the cat who, when he was a kitten, lived with a family that was not good to him and because of this, he now has bad memories that make him feel angry.

A Place for Starr: A Story of Hope for Children Experiencing Family Violence (for preteens ages 9+) by Howard Schor—Recommended by the National Alliance of Mental Illness

  • What is it about? Written in Poem form, this easy read story describes one family’s experience with domestic violence

Something Happened and I'm Scared to Tell: A Book for Young Victims of Abuse by Patricia Kehoe—Recommended by Coalition for Children

  • What is it about? With the help of a friendly lion, a young sexual abuse victim is able to talk about sexual abuse and recover self-esteem

For more books about bullying, violence and abuse

PTSD coach: reliable information on PTSD and treatments, tools for screening and tracking symptoms, convenient easy-to-use to help handle stress, direct links to support and help.

Clinical-partners.co.uk:

Nip in the Bud

NHS:

Kids Health:

  • General information of PTSD in children and adolescents for parents
    • Includes information about the signs, symptoms, how its treated, and how they can help their child
  • Link: https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/ptsd.html

Child trauma recovery:

  • Website aimed at parents and caregivers to provide help, advice, and reassurance about how to support your child when they are suffering from PTSD or trauma
  • Link: https://childtraumarecovery.com/

Child Mind Institute:

Royal College of Psychiatrists

Young Minds

  • Has a parent helpline at 0808 802 5544
  • This helpline offers advice and support from professionals about mental health problems in your children

Mind Ed is a website full of different online courses on various topics

If you have a child or young person that has had a traumatic experience this link will help you respond-this is a course specific on trauma in children and how to help them cope

Online guide

Child Trauma Recovery

Child welfare

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network:

  • Has many useful electronic guides to dealing with trauma.
  • Include specific guides such as:
    • “What parents need to know about sexual abuse”
    • “Talking to your children about islamophobia and hate-based violence”
    • “Childhood traumatic grief: information for military parents or caregivers”
    • “What is Child Traumatic Stress?”
    • “Age-related reactions to a traumatic event”

Young Minds

Children’s Society

Childmind Institute

  • Helping children cope after a traumatic event
    • Link: https://childmind.org/guide/helping-children-cope-traumatic-event/
    • If you would like this as a pdf you can sign up via email to receive one
    • Guide created by psychiatrists, psychologists and mental health experts who specialize in crisis situations
    • Contains general tips to helping children after a traumatic event and healthy ways to help recover
    • Also contains pages on how to help children of different age groups
  • Parent blog (if you select the blog and then select the disorder “trauma and stress related” then all related articles will come up)

How childhood trauma affects health across a lifetime by TED

How to talk to your child after a frightening event by Child Bereavement UK

Help kids cope: helps parents and caregivers talk with children about disasters: know what to do before, during, and after 10 disastes types and know what to say in the moment to support your kids of all ages

UK Trauma Council Supported and hosted by the Anna Freud Centre

  • Brings together 22 leading experts in research, policy, and practice from all four nations of the UK, to drive positive change in the care and support provided to children and young people who have been exposed to different forms of trauma
  • Childhood trauma and the brain: evidence-based portfolio of latest research
  • Beyond the pandemic: strategic priorities for responding to childhood trauma-a policy statement on coronavirus and its implications for children and young people
  • Research Practice focus: a video on why some bereavement are more difficult for children and young people, and what can help.
  • Website : https://uktraumacouncil.org/?cn-reloaded=1
  • 5 Steps to Mental Health and Wellbeing Framework : a free evidence-based, whole-school and college approach to mental health and wellbeing

Australian Childhood Foundation

Online guide: PTSD General Information for schools

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network

Child Mind Institute:

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence

  • Online guide: How to help: when a student is being abused

Link: https://www.speakcdn.com/assets/2497/how_to_help_when_a_student_is_being_abused. pdf?1509129774156

Trauma informed schools in the UK: provide appropriate training for schools, communities and organizations so that they become trauma informed and mentally healthy places for all.

Mentally Healthy Schools (Anna Freud Centre for Children and Families): bring together quality- assured information, advice and resources to help primary schools understand and promote children’s mental health and wellbeing as well as increase staff awareness, knowledge and confidence to help them support their pupils.

Young people and traumatic events (Anna Freud Centre)

  • What is it about? David Trickey, a consultant clinical psychologist explains how school staff can support children and young people who have experienced a traumatic event
  • Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDEYhKIXCEU