The Interplay of Mental Health Medications, Salutogenic Approach, and Somatic Trauma-Informed Approaches in Post-Traumatic Growth With our guest, Carl Legault, Registered Psychotherapist, BA, MA, from Becoming You Counselling and Psychotherapy Services, we barely scratch the surface on this topic. Post-traumatic growth (PTG) refers to the positive psychological changes that individuals may experience following a traumatic event. It involves personal growth, increased appreciation for life, and strengthened relationships. To foster this growth, a multi-faceted approach often proves effective, incorporating mental health medications, a salutogenic perspective, and somatic trauma-informed techniques. - Mental Health Medications Symptom Management: Medications can help alleviate symptoms associated with trauma, such as depression, anxiety, and insomnia. This can create a more conducive environment for personal growth. Neurochemical Balance: Medications can help restore neurochemical imbalances that may have been disrupted by the traumatic event. This can contribute to improved mood and cognitive function. Supporting Therapy: Medications can work synergistically with therapy, enhancing the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions and facilitating the process of healing. - Salutogenic Approach Focus on Health: The salutogenic approach emphasizes factors that promote health and well-being, rather than focusing solely on the absence of disease. Sense of Coherence: It fosters a sense of coherence, which involves a belief in the comprehensibility, manageability, and meaningfulness of life. This can help individuals find purpose and meaning in their experiences, even after trauma. Resilience Building: The salutogenic approach can help individuals develop resilience, the ability to bounce back from adversity. This is crucial for post-traumatic growth. - Somatic Trauma-Informed Approaches Body-Mind Connection: These approaches recognize the connection between the mind and body and the impact of trauma on the physical body. Somatic Release: Techniques such as yoga, martial arts, meditation, and somatic experiencing can help individuals release stored trauma in the body, promoting physical and emotional healing. - How These Approaches Work Together Complementary Therapies: These three approaches can complement each other to provide a comprehensive approach to healing. Personalized Care: The optimal combination of approaches will vary depending on the individual's needs and experiences. Collaborative Approach: A collaborative approach between healthcare providers, therapists, and individuals can help ensure that the most effective treatment plan is in place. By combining mental health medications, a salutogenic perspective, and somatic trauma-informed approaches, individuals can increase their chances of experiencing post-traumatic growth and build a more resilient and fulfilling life. Notably, it's important to be aware of the possibility of substance dependence when using medications to aid in post-traumatic growth. Consulting with professionals can help you develop strategies and solutions that minimize this risk.

Teachers and coaches are human beings who, like everyone else, bring their own experiences and emotions into their work. Trauma kindling, the process of becoming increasingly sensitive to traumatic experiences over time, can significantly impact their ability to cope with the stressors of their profession.

Trauma kindling is where repeated exposure to stressors can lower the threshold for experiencing intense emotional or physiological reactions. In the context of education and coaching, it can be a significant concern.

By recognizing the challenges that teachers and coaches face and providing the necessary support, we can help them to maintain their mental health and effectiveness in their roles.

Bullying and mental health: Trauma Informed Approach - Why People Take Martial Arts for the Wrong Reasons In this episode, we discuss what bullying is, how it impacts the victims and bully (trauma). How trauma informed martial arts can help. And, we take a little look at why some may take martial arts training for the wrong reasons and how teachers can try to recognize this. Bullying can have a significant negative impact on mental health, both for the victim and the perpetrator. Here's a summary of the effects: Victims of bullying are more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and social isolation. They may also have trouble sleeping, eating, and concentrating in school. In severe cases, bullying can even lead to self-harm or suicidal thoughts. Perpetrators of bullying are also at risk for mental health problems. They may be more likely to engage in risky behaviors, such as substance abuse, and have difficulty forming healthy relationships. Bullying isn't just a one-way street for mental health. While it certainly takes a toll on those being bullied, there's also a connection between bullying and the mental health of the bully themselves. Here is the full name of the book that we mention in this episode: The Dark Triad of Personality: Narcissism, Machiavellianism, and Psychopathy in Everyday Life