Okay positive thread. What are some of your favourite resources to learn about trauma and/or being trauma-informed? Could be books, articles, websites, twitter accounts, anything that has helped you. We won't all agree but let's try to compile a list.

I'll start: in Canada, we have @traumalaw and @the_TI_Lawyer doing amazing work.

Of all the people in the world, I trust most to be truly trauma-informed, (1) my therapist (whom I don't name here because boundaries) and (2) my wonderful friend @kathleengorma13

My fave non-fiction book (bear in mind I don't read a lot of non-law books these days): https://www.amazon.ca/Trauma-Recovery-Aftermath-Violence-Political/dp/0465061710/ref=pd_lpo_14_t_0/141-6343724-5872727?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0465061710&pd_rd_r=c63303ed-861f-4034-8542-7213b470ec7b&pd_rd_w=p4iEU&pd_rd_wg=qpPmt&pf_rd_p=76d05b53-3ce3-4aa0-b17a-d40d7056440a&pf_rd_r=V7BHMV07BFBGG8N1RA1H&psc=1&refRID=V7BHMV07BFBGG8N1RA1H

I don’t agree with everything Judith Herman says but her book is so important as a foundation. This part in particular is EVERYTHING for me:

I also think when it comes to trauma, hearing directly from those with lived experience is SO important. In this regard I was deeply moved by the writing of @helen_knott (In My Own Moccasins) and @WordsandGuitar (A Mind Spread Out on the Ground)

@traumalaw has a list of resources on its website too (some specific to law--which I don't comment on here--some more general) http://www.traumainformedlaw.org/resources 

I may do a blog post with a list of suggested resources, but I confess I have a few go-to sources and that's it and I don't want to be too narrow

Also: @manithegarcia and @JanelCubbage have really important content about trauma generally, and about the intersection of trauma and racism for minoritized people in particular. I've learned so much from both of them and know I still have tons to learn.

@RachelintheOC and @Alexandria_SZ run a weekly twitter chat for sexual abuse survivors that some may wish to check out if they feel comfortable participating or observing.

Also @GilmerHealthLaw has an amazing blog on trauma-informed care, as well as amazing content on her twitter feed. She also addresses ableism as well.

Also I’ve found learning about ableism to be key alongside learning about trauma. @ConnConnection is one of my fave teachers on discussing ableism (and amplifies other voices)

In addition, for MH accounts generally, I favour ones with a heavy emphasis on lived experience (after all, empowerment is key to being trauma-informed). @deseraestage and others are doing amazing things to centre the voices of people with lived experience in convos about suicide

@angiyo58 is doing amazing work in Kenya. @eperryinsights is doing amazing work to bring attention to ACEs and 1st voice here in Canada and @healWRITEnow is doing the same in the US

@kwetoday is also an amazing lawyer and person who shares her own experiences and perspectives here. I’ve learned so much from her too.

Also yes I overuse the word “amazing” but I’m not sorry because it’s a perfectly wonderful word to describe the contributions above

Speaking of the word amazing, my friend @sadiestrong fits that description as a psychiatry trainee in the UK and she knows how to use tiktok! I love her wisdom, humility and spirit. Highly recommend a follow

Other accounts sharing their lived experience in the legal profession include @alittleleader @philawsostef and several more.

Also there are so many people speaking from lived experience as service users in the UK that I couldn’t possibly list all of here. I learn so much from them. @SameOldCycle @itsmyamygdala and others

Also @jaunty_aphorism has done amazing illustrations of some of her experiences here https://twitter.com/jaunty_aphorism/status/1350288745967312897

Also generally I’m going to add with respect to my list: there’s no one I agree with ALL of the time. There are some I fundamentally disagree with on major things but it’s about welcoming a variety of perspectives. I speak authoritatively for my own but not for others.