Some examples of traumatic events may include:

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• Physical, sexual or emotional abuse

• Neglect

• Witnessing or being the direct victim of interpersonal violence (domestic, dating violence)

• Witnessing or being the direct victim of community violence (gang violence, riots, school shootings)

• Severe motor vehicle and other accidents

• Medical trauma including severe injury or life threatening illness

• Natural and human-made disasters

• Sudden death of a loved one or peer

• Exposure to war terrorism or refugee conditions. [2]

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Research has shown that adolescents who encounter a traumatic event may experience social, emotional and even academic consequences as a result of the traumatic event. Adolescents experiencing a trauma may be more prone to engage in risky behaviors, less likely to make realistic evaluations of danger and safety, and may experience symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). [3] Children and youth may demonstrate one or many of the following post traumatic responses:

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• Anxiety and/or Anger

• Suicidal Thoughts or Feelings

• Depression

• Substance Abuse

• Fear

• Frequent mood changes

• Truancy

• Fighting

• Impaired concentration and problem solving abilities

• Withdrawal from relationships

• Difficulty communicating

• Poor school performance

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Safe2Tell Wyoming Can Help

 

The goal of Safe2Tell Wyoming is to intervene at the earliest possible point in the life a young person who is struggling, helping them when they need it before the situation turns into a tragedy. Safe2Tell serves as the statewide bystander reporting tool for school safety concerns in Wyoming. The Safe2Tell solution was developed specifically to encourage those with information about a possible event or dangerous situation to report it in a way that keeps the reporter safe from retaliation or fear.

 

 

If you witness a child or youth who has experienced a traumatic event and is engaging in risky or harmful behavior, you can make an confidential Safe2Tell Wyoming report alerting a team of caring committed adults of the situation. Safe2Tell reports create interventions for youth and children who are struggling and provides the accountability and follow-up required to ensure action is taken on every concerned received.

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1 Cohen, Mannarino, and Deblinger, Treating Trauma and Traumatic Grief in Children and Adolescents, The Guilford Press, 2006, p.3,

2 National Child Traumatic Stress Network: Understanding Traumatic Street in Adolescents: A Primer for Substance Abuse Professionals, June 2008, p. 1

3 National Child Traumatic Stress Network: Understanding Traumatic Street in Adolescents: A Primer for Substance Abuse Professionals, June 2008, p. 4

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