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Trauma, Homelessness and Meiosis

(this is a work-in-progress piece)

As stated in Psychology Today:

"Tom Regehr of CAST Canada considers trauma to be most often the root cause of homelessness, and that most cases of homelessness result from a series of losses, so severe and betraying, that these individuals cannot even tolerate the idea of hope. 


Furthermore, homelessness itself can lead to further trauma. The loss of a home is often accompanied by loss of community, possessions, and security. Regehr states that regarding the homeless, there may be those with severe and persistent mental illness or those who have experienced multiple traumas, and that what homeless individuals have in common is an internal, ongoing terror, as well as loneliness, despair, fear, and dread. "


Since homelessness can cause further trauma both as a result of its very nature, and by exposing the individual to dangerous situations, it is important to consider trauma-specific services to help families and individuals who have experienced homelessness. Regehr suggests that by the time someone seriously needs help from an agency, trauma is a factor. “Even if it is mild and one might normally recover, the ongoing let downs, put downs, disappointments and insults add up to crushing hope. Once someone is fully entrenched in a place of hopelessness, even seemingly ‘helpful’ ideas, tools, suggestions can cause harm and direct pain. It is important for any professional working with a person in-need, to be trauma informed.”"

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, trauma is defined as an injury (such as a wound) to living tissue caused by an extrinsic agent or behavioral state resulting from severe mental or emotional stress or physical injury, an emotional upset.

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