Introduction
Intervention programs are intended to offer certain demographic tools and skills to cope with their conditions. While trauma is not a condition in itself, it correlates with several mental health problems that hinder one’s well-being. There are two perspectives to be considered when it comes to such outcomes. On the one hand, trauma is a generator of other symptoms that later develop into mental conditions such as depression. Thus, its role in the progression of psychiatric illnesses is critical. On the other hand, trauma creates the need for an escape, which is usually accompanied by one’s desire to minimize the negative feelings. As a result, the individual’s mood disorders related to the traumatic experience shift into substance usage and, subsequently, addictions.
Trauma Overview
Trauma can differ based on the experience that traumatized the individual, its manifestations, and the approaches that are to be considered when it comes to addressing it. It can derive from a natural event (such as natural calamities) or manufactured acts (both intentional or unintentional). These include car crashes, which are involuntary, and sexual assaults or physical abuse, which is intentional (SAMHSA, 2015). However, evidence shows that trauma survivors often correlate specific traumatic experiences with outcomes in regard to mental health decline. Thus, rape, sexual assault, stalking, and a loved one passing away are most likely to lead to PTSD and similar mental issues, including depression, mood disorders, and substance abuse (Kessler et al., 2017). This is why the intervention programs that will be proposed further are designed to tackle both the mental conditions and the traumatic experience that has led to such outcomes.
Trauma-Based Group Therapy Program
The program is intended to address trauma through a group therapy session. Thus, individuals who have experienced traumatic events and would like to address them would be able to attend the weekly meetings. The meetings are designed for people to share their experiences, emotions, and progress or regression. Each participant can either listen to how other trauma survivors cope with their challenges or share personal overviews. There are several important aspects of group therapy. On the one hand, a platform is created where people can communicate with other individuals who have similar traumas and symptoms. On the other hand, talking about one’s problems can empower people to accept and cope with them. A therapist will conduct the meetings, share advice if one asks for it, and make sure no boundaries are crossed during the sessions.
Addressing the Issue
The program addressed multiple issues by considering trauma as the center point of the intervention. Similar to other techniques that are applied when it comes to intervening in trauma patients, group therapy combats various circumstances. An example is substance abuse, which often correlates with an incident that has caused the individual to escape a mindset of feeling. When it comes to substance abuse, addressing trauma is one of the vital steps in group sessions (SAMHSA, 2000). In the case of a project that can be implemented in a clinical setting, the intervention can be viewed as both preventative and practical. Thus, individuals who have suffered from trauma can share their feelings and receive support, which ultimately hinders the potential of unresolved issues causing problems. However, it also addresses existing conditions, such as substance abuse, depression, and mood disorders.
Outcomes
There are several positive outcomes correlating with the project design and intervention technique. Researchers mention that more than 80% of support group participants mention improvements in regard to personal values and connections with like-minded people (Worrall et al., 2018). Moreover, participants report that the interventions have improved their sense of belonging and have helped them recover from a mental illness. Furthermore, evidence shows that trauma-related group sessions allow participants to express anger in a safe environment in a role play, which later describes the stress and anger experienced in real life (SAMHSA, 2015). Another outcome is the client’s acquired skills when it comes to setting boundaries. Since the participants are able to hear what other individuals have gone through and have the ability to speak or remain silent, the empowerment creates a sense of the importance of themselves as people and the words they share.
Resources
The project intends to be a weekly 2-hour group session for trauma survivors. Thus, the necessary resources include a trauma group therapist, a room for weekly meetings, and advertisements. The room can easily be obtained as the clinic where I operate conducts similar group sessions for substance users and residents of the facility. The only necessary action is scheduling the meetings so that they do not interfere with other events. Moreover, the group therapist who already operates at the clinic will be paid extra ($300 a session) for the designated time. In regards to marketing the project, pamphlets will be designed and distributed through several hospitals and AA meetings, which will cost $100 monthly. Online advertisement will be free as it will be present on the clinic’s official website as well as through non-profit organizations helping individuals with trauma. Thus, the project will cost $1300 monthly. The allocated money ($25,000) will cover 19 months of the intervention.
My Role
As a clinical manager, my role includes project implementation, supervision, and evaluation. The initial stage, namely, planning, is to be aligned with the agency’s policies. Thus, confidentiality, patient-centered care, and evidence-based practices have been considered. During project implementation, my role is to ensure the project follows the aforementioned guidelines and does not exceed the budget. Supervision implies I am to make sure the intervention follows the ethical and legal connotations implemented on a federal, state, and agency level. Last but not least, I will evaluate the project by conducting internal research. Participants will provide feedback, suggestions, and potential complaints. Thus, my role is a combination of duties that cover the project, from planning to evaluating, to ensure a smooth, practical appliance. I will monitor the project from start to finish, which will minimize potential risks and maximize the success of the aim.
Telehealth and Digital Support for Trauma Sufferers Program
The project is intended to be applied to assist trauma patients through the use of digital technology. The intention is to adopt a system in which digital help is provided as outpatient support for individuals who have experienced trauma that has led to mental illnesses, mood disorders, and mood conditions. Three separate steps are considered through the telehealth intervention. One aim is to create an online check-in system in which individuals with substance use programs will be able to physically validate their days of sobriety. The second aim is to create a channel between patients and therapists to encourage online communication. Last but not least, the patients with trauma-related symptoms will be able to connect through group chats.
Addressing the Issue
Several issues can be addressed through a digitalization program. According to researchers, an online check-in system allows individuals to physically address their problems by taking direct action toward receiving help (SAMHSA, 2015). The issues that are being combated include the trauma itself, the mental conditions that follow, and substance abuse. For example, individuals who are sober but experience a desire to take a drug or drink alcohol are able to connect with like-minded people and receive support. Another issue that is being addressed is strong emotions in case patients cannot overcome them. Therapists can provide advice and remind individuals of coping skills. Moreover, one of the issues that may accelerate conditions is a lack of support, an issue that is also being addressed through telehealth.
Outcomes
Plenty of outcomes correlate with the initiative of improving telehealth for patients who have experienced trauma. One of the outcomes is the establishment of a strong support system that can assist individuals during challenging moments (SAMHSA, 2015). As a result, individuals are less likely to feel misunderstood because of the traumatic experience they went through. Another outcome is improving the period of sobriety for patients who suffer from substance abuse. Having an online check-in system and accessing the group chats simulates AA meetings without the effort of going to a designated place. Moreover, trauma victims who isolate themselves and have a hard time interacting and sharing their feelings during meetings can do it online, which is easier. As a result, the outcomes certainly exemplify the program’s benefits.
Resources
The budget of $25,000 would cover the entire program, and no extra investment is needed to practically apply it. Training therapists to operate the digital platform will be conducted through a one-week session in which the therapists will attend a one-hour meeting on a daily basis. The arrangement requires the presence of telehealth specialists who will inform the therapists of the legal and ethical boundaries that are to be followed, such as non-disclosure agreements. The training, based on present calculations, will require $200 a session, implying spending of $1000 for the week of training. The telehealth specialist will be allocated $300 for the one-time participation. Moreover, therapists will be paid based on online interactions, which is approximated to be $1000 monthly. Purchasing the online system requires a one-time 300 payment. The $2800 investment in the first month will be followed by $1000 investments monthly, allowing the project to last close to two years.
My Role
My role as a clinical manager includes monitoring the project at all stages. First, the telehealth implementation is to follow the agency guidelines, including non-disclosure of private information. However, telehealth is a relatively new approach to medicine, which implies that I am to make sure all the legal and ethical circumstances are being considered. For example, I have to ensure that, in case of serious problems, therapists are to ask the patients to have an in-person visit at the clinic. Moreover, as a clinical manager, I will supervise the online communication in the early stages of the intervention after agreeing with the patient and therapist. This will allow me to make an assessment of the requirements that are met or dismissed. After implementation, I will conduct research in regard to outcomes by interviewing both therapists and patients.
Trauma Programs Overview
Both programs are different in regard to approaches to communication and have various benefits. On the one hand, in-person group sessions allow people to confront their fears and emotions and receive support as well as establish a network of acquaintances. On the other hand, online help will enable individuals to access services without having the anxiety of attending an in-person meeting. However, both implementations are based on the construction of communication channels. Communication is key when it comes to confronting trauma, opening up about depression, coping with mood disorders, and addressing substance abuse. As a result, regardless of the program that will be chosen by the Board of Directors, the evidence-based approaches have an excellent potential to support trauma victims and individuals with conditions or substance use issues that occurred as a result of a traumatic event.
Vision
Since mood disorders, depression, and substance use are complex and require interventions on multiple levels, confronting the initial trigger is the central vision for both projects. Namely, it is important to address the traumatic experience that has led to negative implications for one’s well-being. The non-profit mental health clinic has the resources to assist individuals in recognizing what caused their mental conditions and support them in overcoming and managing the conditions. Thus, the vision is similar to the vision of the facility. Namely, it gives individuals tools to confront their problems and allows them to live happier and healthier lives as a result of mental health intervention.
Conclusion
The two projects, namely, the Trauma-Based Group Therapy Program and the Telehealth and Digital Support for Trauma Sufferers Program, are intended to assist individuals who have experienced a traumatic event and are either prone to or have mental health problems as a result. The demographics that will benefit from both implementations include people with depression, mood disorders, and substance use triggered by trauma. Both proposals encourage people to share their experiences and connect with other people with similar feelings and issues. Communication, evidence-based approaches, therapy, and open platforms are the concepts that have been considered in both programs. Thus, each of the proposals is reliable and can be an excellent addition to the current practices that exist within the clinic.
References
Kessler, R. C., Aguilar-Gaxiola, S., Alonso, J., Benjet, C., Bromet, E. J., Cardoso, G., Degenhardt, L., de Girolamo, G., Dinolova, R. V., Ferry, F., Florescu, S., Gureje, O., Haro, J. M., Huang, Y., Karam, E. G., Kawakami, N., Lee, S., Lepine, J.-P., Levinson, D., and Koenen, K. C. (2017). Trauma and PTSD in the WHO world mental health surveys. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 8, 1353383. Web.
SAMHSA. (2000). Tip 36: Substance abuse treatment for persons with child abuse and Neglect Issues: Treatment Improvement Protocol. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Web.
SAMHSA. (2015). A treatment improvement protocol. Using technology-based therapeutic tools in Behavioral Health Services. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Web.
Worrall, H., Schweizer, R., Marks, E., Yuan, L., Lloyd, C., & Ramjan, R. (2018). The effectiveness of Support Groups: A literature review. Research Online. Web.