Trauma in United States

• Physical health effects
  Chronic fatigue, sleep disturbances (insomnia or nightmares), headaches, muscle tension, and increased risk for hypertension, GI issues, or immune problems.

• Mental health effects
  Anxiety, depression, PTSD symptoms (intrusive memories, flashbacks, hypervigilance), mood swings, and concentration difficulties.

• Cognitive and behavioral changes
  Intrusive memories, avoidance, negative beliefs about self or others, impaired decision-making, and possible increases in substance use or risky behaviors.

• Relationships and personal life
  Withdrawal from friends/family, trust issues, conflicts, parenting challenges, and reduced intimacy.

• Workplace and daily functioning
  Lower productivity, more errors, absenteeism or presenteeism, safety concerns, and higher risk of burnout.

• If you’re in immediate danger or crisis in the US, call or text 988 or contact local emergency services.

• For workplace support, consider trauma-informed resources like October’s digital group sessions and assessments to help build coping skills and resilience.

Effects of High Trauma Stress on an Economy (United States)

• Reduced productivity and labor participation: higher absenteeism, presenteeism, turnover, and impaired concentration or decision-making.
• Increased health care and social costs: greater demand for mental and physical health services, higher insurance premiums, and more disability or workers’ comp claims.
• Impacts on human capital: disrupted education and training, slower skill development, and lower lifetime earnings and productivity.
• Effects on business environment and social stability: more workplace conflicts and safety concerns, potential declines in investment and economic confidence in stressed communities.
• Mitigation potential (what helps): workplace trauma-informed care, accessible confidential counseling, and scalable programs like digital group sessions and assessments (e.g., October) to build resilience and reduce costs.

• Ensure universal, affordable mental health care (including telehealth) and integration with primary care.
• Implement trauma-informed public health across health, education, and justice systems.
• Expand crisis response: 24/7 hotlines, mobile crisis teams, and accessible community services.
• Invest in prevention and resilience: family support, early childhood programs, stable housing, and income security.
• Strengthen disaster and post-trauma support: rapid psychosocial response and evidence-based interventions after events.
• Create trauma-informed workplaces and schools: leadership training, flexible leave, accommodations, and supportive policies.
• Build data and research capacity: national surveillance on trauma exposure/outcomes and program evaluation.
• Scale interventions with digital platforms: partner with tools like October for group sessions, assessments, and psychoeducation.

• Trauma-informed culture and leadership

  • Train managers and HR on recognizing trauma responses, safe communication, and avoiding retraumatization; embed trauma-informed policies across people ops.

• Confidential mental health support

  • Offer confidential EAP and teletherapy; ensure privacy and HIPAA-compliant practices; minimize cost barriers.

• Crisis response and aftercare

  • Maintain a clear incident response plan (CISM), designate a crisis team, provide post-incident check-ins and referrals.

• Flexible work and return-to-work supports

  • Provide flexible scheduling, remote options, and phased or gradual return-to-work plans; offer reasonable accommodations.

• Trauma-focused resources and programs

  • Provide psychoeducation, grounding and coping skills, and scalable group sessions (e.g., October) plus assessments to tailor support.

• Evaluation and continuous improvement

  • Track metrics (EAP usage, burnout indicators, retention), gather feedback, and adjust programs accordingly.