Trauma in United Kingdom

Effects of High Trauma Stress on Health and Personal Life

• Physical Health:

  • Increased risk of cardiovascular diseases
  • Weakened immune system
  • Sleep disturbances and chronic fatigue
  • Headaches and gastrointestinal issues

• Mental Health:

  • Higher likelihood of anxiety, depression, and PTSD
  • Impaired concentration and memory problems
  • Emotional dysregulation and mood swings

• Workplace Impact:

  • Reduced productivity and concentration
  • Increased absenteeism and burnout
  • Difficulty in workplace relationships and communication

• Personal Life:

  • Strained relationships with family and friends
  • Social withdrawal and isolation
  • Lower overall life satisfaction and well-being

Recommendation:
Employers can support affected employees by offering trauma-informed workplace practices. Digital group sessions and assessments through platforms like October can help identify and address trauma-related stress early, improving both health and job performance.

Effects of High Trauma Stress on an Economy

1. Reduced Productivity
   Employees suffering from trauma-related stress often experience decreased concentration, motivation, and energy, leading to lower work output.

2. Increased Absenteeism and Presenteeism
   Trauma stress can cause more sick days (absenteeism) and reduced effectiveness while at work (presenteeism), both harming overall economic performance.

3. Higher Healthcare Costs
   Increased demand for mental health services and treatments raises healthcare expenses for businesses and government.

4. Workforce Turnover
   Trauma-stressed employees may leave jobs more frequently, increasing recruitment and training costs.

5. Impaired Decision-Making and Innovation
   Stress can impair cognitive function, affecting creativity and long-term economic growth.

6. Social Welfare Burden
   Increased disability claims and social support needs strain public resources.

Workplace Mental Health Support Suggestion:
Implementing mental health programmes like October’s digital group sessions and assessments can mitigate trauma-related stress impacts, improve employee wellbeing, and boost economic productivity.

• Implement Accessible Mental Health Services: Increase availability of trauma-informed counseling and therapy, preferably integrated into primary healthcare and workplaces.
• Promote Public Awareness Campaigns: Educate citizens on trauma symptoms and coping strategies to reduce stigma and encourage early help-seeking.
• Establish Crisis Response Teams: Provide immediate support during and after traumatic events, including at workplaces impacted by trauma.
• Support Workplace Mental Health Programs: Encourage employers to offer trauma-sensitive environments, training, and resources like digital group therapy sessions (such as those offered by October).
• Invest in Community Resilience Building: Foster social support networks and community programs that help people recover from trauma collectively.
• Train Professionals in Trauma-Informed Care: Ensure healthcare, social services, and law enforcement staff are trained to recognize and respond appropriately to trauma.

Implementing these steps helps create a national framework to lower trauma stress at both individual and organizational levels.

 How Companies Can Lower Trauma Stress

1. **Provide Access to Mental Health Support**  
   Offer confidential counselling services or Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) that specialise in trauma and stress.

2. **Create a Supportive Work Environment**  
   Foster an open culture where employees feel safe discussing mental health without stigma.

3. **Offer Trauma-Informed Training**  
   Educate managers and staff about recognizing trauma symptoms and responding appropriately.

4. **Implement Flexible Work Arrangements**  
   Allow for flexible hours or remote working to reduce stress triggers.

5. **Use Digital Group Sessions and Resources**  
   Platforms like October provide digital group sessions and assessments tailored to trauma support, helping employees collectively process and manage stress.

6. **Regularly Assess Workplace Stressors**  
   Conduct surveys or assessments to identify trauma triggers and adjust workloads or environments accordingly.

By combining these strategies, companies can significantly lower trauma-related stress among employees.