Enter the movement of change.
In my current MA Sociology course I was struck by the process for becoming part of a movement and wanted to expound upon that today when it comes to helping people through trauma and even suicidal thoughts. The process by which someone becomes part of a movement is defined by (McAdam & Paulsen, 1993) is as such: We suggested that the ultimate decision to participate in a movement would depend on four limiting conditions: (1) the occurrence of a specific recruiting attempt, (2) the successful link- age of movement and identity, (3) support for that linkage from persons who normally serve to sustain the identity in question, and (4) the absence of strong opposition from others on whom other salient identities depend.
If we imbed these steps into being trauma informed we can see that 1. Love-Intentionally “recruiting” the traumatized person into relationship with us allowing them to have the safe space to share their trauma. 2. Listen-Gives the person we love a way to speak their minds and share their deepest thoughts successfully linking them into you, in fact they can begin to form an identity linked to the person who loves them. 3. Learn-Your purposeful learning of their trauma supports and sustains that persons identity and shows them that who they are really does matter and that they would be missed if they weren’t here. 4. Lessen-Doing what you can to keep the person away from further trauma will in fact protect them from strong opposition to their healing.
Of course if you have read my book there has to be the 5th L which is Lead. All of these precepts put forward by McAdam and Paulson must end in a continuation of leadership for the person healing from trauma to produce a longevity effect for that person. This type of process can’t be a one and done thing, it has to be ongoing.
What about you today, have you actively recruited someone into your confidence without expectations, Loving them unconditionally so they feel safe? Have you Listened without needing to speak giving them the entire space in the moment? Have you truly set aside your preconceived ideas in order to Learn where their trauma comes from causing you to change the conversation from what is wrong with you to what happened to you? Knowing now what you know about the person have you taken steps to keep further trauma from occurring to that person? Will you stay the course and Lead them to the path of healing? I hope you are doing all of these things and thank you from this veteran in particular if you are!
McAdam, D., & Paulsen, R. (1993). Specifying the Relationship Between Social Ties and Activism. American Journal of Sociology, 99(3), 640–667. https://doi.org/10.1086/230319
