Culturally Relevant Trauma Training Video Developed by Georgia State's Center for Leadership in Disability
October 17, 2022
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(ATLANTA, GA) Researchers from the Center for Leadership in Disability in the Georgia State University School of Public Health have created a trauma training video module that covers the complex needs of Latinx immigrant and migratory children in Georgia.
The project was supported by a grant from Morehouse School of Medicine's Community Engagement and Course Action Network and seeks to fill a gap in school personnel training to help avoid putting these youth in greater jeopardy of developing mental disorders and poor academic performance.
The training video was designed to teach school personnel such as teachers, counselors, social workers, and administrators how to serve Latinx immigrant youth by effectively addressing the culturally unique issues, concerns and needs of this high-risk, vulnerable population.
"After viewing the video, participants will walk away with increased sensitivity to the impact past and current traumas can have on migratory Latinx children," said Natasha De Veauuse Brown, principal investigator and research assistant professor in the School of Public Health. "They will also be equipped to empathize with and meet the needs of these often-underserved children and their families, many of whom have experienced trauma in the past and are still experiencing traumatic stressors presently."
The training module came to life after researchers at CLD met with the Hispanic Alliance of Georgia a year ago to discuss providing mental health training to Spanish-speaking families. During these discussions, HAG leaders expressed concern about the need for more cultural appropriateness and relevance of many existing training modules for school personnel on childhood traumatic experiences and how to assist youth with related mental and emotional challenges. These modules lacked specific content on addressing the unique life experiences of immigrant and migratory Latinx children or their distinctive ensuing mental health needs.
Many immigrants and migratory Latinx children experience traumatic events during the immigration process. Children of immigrant families residing in Georgia are often more likely to develop mental disorders due to risks such as economic insecurity, social isolation, and uncertainty.
Atlanta is one of the 20 metropolitan areas in the United States with the largest number of immigrants. According to the 2020 Census, the Hispanic population has grown 23% since 2010 and represents almost 19% of the total U.S. population. The Hispanic youth population currently accounts for a quarter of youth under 18 in the U.S., which will increase to one-third within the next 20 years.
The Disability Services: Culture and Trauma: Training for Schools on Immigrant & Migratory Hispanic Students and their Families training module can be viewed online.
For more information on the training module, please contact Dr. Natasha De Veauuse Brown
Center for Leadership in Disability
The Center for Leadership in Disability (CLD) is a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, that moved to Georgia State in August 2008. CLD is housed within Georgia State University School of Public Health. The CLD is one of 67 programs in the country funded by the Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Learn more at cld.gsu.edu.
Learn about our additional trainings and resources at Mental Health Awareness & Wellness Identifying and Responding to Youth Mental Health Needs (IRY).
