One older woman who is being comforted by another, from her grief.

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Here’s a list of resources to help families and individuals with trauma recovery.

These include organizations, helplines, websites, and tools offering support, education, and practical guidance.

They are drawn from reputable sources and tailored to address various aspects of trauma recovery, such as emotional support, professional help, and self-guided strategies.

    1. SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline
        • What: A 24/7, confidential helpline providing immediate crisis counseling for those affected by disasters or traumatic events.

        • How to Access: Call or text 1-800-985-5990 (press “2” for Spanish).

        • Best For: Anyone experiencing distress from natural disasters, violence, or other crises.

    1. National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN)
        • What: Offers resources for children, families, and communities impacted by trauma, including fact sheets, videos, and guides on coping with specific events (e.g., school shootings, natural disasters).

        • How to Access: Visit nctsn.org. Search by trauma type, audience, or language.

        • Best For: Parents, caregivers, and educators supporting children through trauma.

    1. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
        • What: Provides behavioral health resources, including trauma-informed care guides and recovery tools post-disaster.

        • How to Access: Explore samhsa.gov or call the National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for treatment referrals.

        • Best For: Individuals seeking mental health or substance use support after trauma.

    1. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
        • What: A free, 24/7 service for emotional support during crises, including trauma-related distress.

        • How to Access: Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org.

        • Best For: Individuals in immediate emotional crisis or suicidal distress.

    1. National Center for PTSD
        • What: Managed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, it offers extensive resources on PTSD, including self-help tools, apps (e.g., PTSD Coach), and family support guides.

        • How to Access: Visit ptsd.va.gov.

        • Best For: Individuals with PTSD and their loved ones seeking evidence-based coping strategies.

For Families Specifically


    1. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) – Trauma Resources
        • What: Provides articles, infographics (in English and Spanish), and tools for parents to help children heal from trauma.

        • How to Access: Go to aap.org and search “trauma resources.”

        • Best For: Parents and caregivers navigating children’s emotional and behavioral responses to trauma.

    1. Lifeline for Kids (UMass Med)
        • What: Offers child trauma resources, including tips for parents and caregivers on resilience-building and coping with toxic stress.

        • How to Access: Visit umassmed.edu/lifeline4kids or call 1-855-LINK-KID (1-855-546-5543).

        • Best For: Families seeking practical advice for children’s recovery.

    1. Administration for Children and Families (ACF) – Trauma-Informed Resource Guide
        • What: A guide with trauma education, symptom checklists, and population-specific resources for families and human services providers.

        • How to Access: Available at acf.hhs.gov; search “Resource Guide to Trauma-Informed Human Services.”

        • Best For: Families wanting a broad understanding of trauma’s effects and recovery steps.

    1. Better Health Channel – Trauma and Families
        • What: Australian resource explaining how trauma affects family dynamics, with tips for recovery and when to seek help.

        • How to Access: Visit betterhealth.vic.gov.au and search “trauma and families.”

        • Best For: Families looking to rebuild relationships post-trauma.

Self-Guided and Educational Resources


    1. Trauma-Informed Care (NCBI Bookshelf)
        • What: An online resource list with free access to trauma-related organizations and tools for recovery.

        • How to Access: Visit ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books and search “Trauma-Informed Care in Behavioral Health Services.”

        • Best For: Individuals and families wanting to explore trauma recovery options independently.

    1. Center on the Developing Child (Harvard University)
        • What: Offers videos and articles (e.g., “How Toxic Stress Affects Us”) to help parents understand and mitigate trauma’s impact on kids.

        • How to Access: Visit developingchild.harvard.edu.

        • Best For: Parents seeking science-backed insights into trauma and resilience.

    1. Minnesota Trauma Project
        • What: Provides downloadable therapy resources and links to trauma recovery tools.

        • How to Access: Visit mntraumaproject.org/resources.

        • Best For: Individuals and families looking for free, practical worksheets or guides.

Specialized Support


    1. National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma & Mental Health
        • What: Offers training materials and resources for survivors of domestic violence and their families, focusing on trauma-informed care.

        • How to Access: Visit nationalcenterdvtraumamh.org.

        • Best For: Families affected by domestic violence or abuse.

    1. Yale Center for Traumatic Stress and Recovery (YCTSR)
        • What: Provides trauma-informed treatment resources and guides for families, based on clinical research.

        • How to Access: Visit medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/yctsr.

        • Best For: Families seeking expert-developed strategies for child trauma recovery.

    1. ASPR TRACIE – Families Disaster and Trauma Resource Center
        • What: A federal resource with worksheets and guides (e.g., Skills for Psychological Recovery) for families post-disaster.

        • How to Access: Visit asprtracie.hhs.gov and search “Families Disaster and Trauma.”

        • Best For: Families recovering from large-scale events like hurricanes or mass violence.

Tips for Using These Resources


    • Start Where You Are: If you need immediate help, use hotlines like 988 or the Disaster Distress Helpline. For long-term recovery, explore NCTSN or SAMHSA.

    • Involve the Family: Resources like AAP and Better Health Channel emphasize family-wide healing.

  • Seek Professional Guidance: Many sites offer directories (e.g., FindTreatment.gov via SAMHSA) to connect with local therapists or services.