October Health – 2025 Report

Trauma in United States

The leading cause of traumatic stress in the United States at the population level is exposure to violence, including physical assault and domestic violence. Other significant causes include accidents, natural disasters, and combat-related experiences, but violence-related trauma remains the most prevalent. For workplace support, offering resources like digital group sessions through companies like October can help employees manage trauma-related stress effectively.

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Trauma Prevalence
15.25%
Affected people
8,387,500

Impact on the people of United States

Effects of High Trauma Stress on Health and Personal Life

  • Physical Health Impacts:

    • Increased risk of cardiovascular disease
    • Weakened immune system
    • Chronic pain and gastrointestinal issues
    • Sleep disturbances and fatigue

  • Mental Health Consequences:

    • Higher likelihood of anxiety, depression, and PTSD
    • Difficulty concentrating and memory problems
    • Emotional numbness or heightened emotional reactivity

  • Personal Life Challenges:

    • Strained relationships due to mood swings or withdrawal
    • Reduced productivity and increased absenteeism at work
    • Difficulty trusting others and forming new relationships
    • Increased risk of substance abuse as a coping mechanism

Supporting trauma-affected employees with resources such as digital group sessions or mental health assessments (like those October offers) can help mitigate these effects in the workplace.

Impact on the United States Economy

Effects of High Trauma Stress on an Economy

  1. Reduced Workforce Productivity
    Trauma stress can lead to absenteeism, presenteeism, and decreased concentration, lowering overall productivity.

  2. Increased Healthcare Costs
    Higher rates of mental health issues increase demand for medical services, raising both private and public healthcare expenses.

  3. Higher Disability and Unemployment Rates
    Chronic trauma-related conditions can result in long-term disability or inability to maintain employment, straining social welfare systems.

  4. Lower Consumer Spending
    Economic uncertainty and mental health struggles reduce disposable income and consumption, slowing economic growth.

  5. Workplace Turnover and Training Costs
    Trauma stress contributes to higher employee turnover, necessitating repeated hiring and training investments.

Workplace Mental Health Support Tip:
Implementing programs like October’s digital group sessions and mental health assessments can help identify and mitigate trauma stress among employees, improving productivity and reducing economic burdens.

What can government do to assist?

Strategies for a Country to Lower Trauma Stress

  1. Establish Accessible Mental Health Services

    • Fund and expand mental health clinics, especially in underserved areas.
    • Integrate trauma-informed care into primary healthcare systems.

  2. Implement Public Awareness Campaigns

    • Educate the public about trauma and its effects.
    • Reduce stigma around seeking help for mental health issues.

  3. Support Workplace Mental Health Programs

    • Encourage businesses to provide mental health resources and trauma recovery programs.
    • Promote digital group therapy options like October for employee support.

  4. Train First Responders and Community Leaders

    • Provide trauma-informed training to police, teachers, and social workers.
    • Enable early identification and referral to appropriate services.

  5. Promote Social Support and Community Resilience

    • Invest in community centers and support groups.
    • Encourage peer support networks to share experiences and coping strategies.

  6. Ensure Crisis and Emergency Response Systems

    • Develop rapid response teams for trauma incidents.
    • Provide hotlines and immediate counseling services.

By addressing trauma stress from multiple angles, a country can create a more supportive environment that fosters recovery and resilience.

What can businesses do to assist their employees? 

 Strategies for Companies to Lower Trauma-Related Stress

1. **Create a Supportive Environment**
   - Foster open communication where employees feel safe discussing trauma and stress.
   - Train managers to recognize signs of trauma and respond empathetically.

2. **Provide Access to Professional Resources**
   - Offer Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) that include trauma-informed counseling.
   - Partner with mental health platforms like October for digital group sessions and assessments focusing on trauma.

3. **Promote Mental Health Education**
   - Conduct workshops on stress management and trauma awareness.
   - Distribute educational content about coping mechanisms and resilience building.

4. **Offer Flexible Work Arrangements**
   - Allow flexible hours or remote work to accommodate recovery needs.
   - Encourage regular breaks and time-off for mental health.

5. **Implement Trauma-Informed Policies**
   - Develop procedures that consider trauma impacts in disciplinary or performance reviews.
   - Ensure confidentiality and respect in handling trauma disclosures.

By integrating these measures, companies can help reduce trauma-related stress and support employee well-being effectively.