Trauma Resources
What is Trauma?
Trauma can be a hard thing to explain and understand. A formal definition is: Trauma occurs when someone is exposed to an incident that is emotionally distressing or life-threatening and creates lasting adverse effects on their mental, physical, emotional, and/or social wellbeing. Examples of trauma can include, but are certainly not limited to, abuse, neglect, household dysfunction, loss, illness or injury, natural disaster, poverty, discrimination and oppression, and violence.
Immediate reactions after a traumatic event include shock and denial, while more long-term reactions may include mood swings, relationship challenges, flashbacks, and physical symptoms. These responses may be concerning to the person experiencing them and those around them, but they are normal responses to traumatic events.
Part of why we are working to address trauma in Barry County is because trauma can have long-lasting effects on a person’s health and wellbeing. It can change the way a person’s brain functions and lead to a host of negative life outcomes, and traumatic events are particularly harmful for children who are still growing and developing.
Helpful Links
Have you or are you experiencing TRAUMA? The links below may help you find the support or services that will help you cope with your current situation and help you build resilience.
Mental Wellness Links
- Barry County Community Mental Health Authority delivers behavioral health, substance use and physical health services in an accessible and affordable manner. Their goal is to provide treatment, recovery, and hope to individuals in the most effective and least restrictive manner. Contact them at (866) 266-4781 or visit their website at https://barrycountyrecovery.com/
- Michigan 2-1-1 is an easy way to find help of all kinds, right in our community. If you need help with a family crisis or community disaster, they’re there for you. Call them at 211 or (844) 875-9211 or visit their website at https://mi211.org/
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988) offers free and confidential support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Call 988 for listening ear.
- Psychology Today Therapist Lookup gives you access to therapists in your area that self-identify as a therapist specializing in trauma care. Use the following link to see who identifies as being able to help you with your trauma https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/mi/hastings?category=trauma-and-ptsd
Housing Links
- Barry County United Way & Volunteer Center is available to help you with tenant questions, shelter assistance, and possible emergency funding. As the Housing Assessment and Resource Agency for Barry County, they can connect you with all the services you may qualify for. Contact United Way at (269) 945-4010 or visit their website at https://www.bcunitedway.org/get-help/housing-services/
- Family Promise of Barry County partners with families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless by helping them get back on their feet so they can create a stable lifestyle for their children. They provide temporary housing and personalized mentoring to homeless families. Call them at (269) 256-4594 or visit their website at https://www.familypromisebarrycounty.org/what-we-do
- Green Gables Haven Community Shelter provides a temporary, secure, nurturing environment and support to enable victims of domestic violence in Barry County to make appropriate life altering changes. Call them at (269)945-4777 or visit their website at https://www.greengableshaven.org/
- Michigan 2-1-1 is an easy way to find help of all kinds, right in our community. If you need help with housing or paying bills, they’re there for you. Call them at 211 or (844) 875-9211 or visit their website at https://mi211.org/
Food Links
- Barry Eaton District Health Department has the “Women, Infant, and Children (WIC)” program that helps families meet their nutrition and health goals. WIC provides healthy food, nutrition counseling with a Registered Dietitian, and referrals to additional community resources. Call them at (269) 945-9516 or visit their website at https://barryeatonhealth.org/wic/
- Barry County Cares (BCC) assists people in finding the help they need in a faith-based approach. They can help with support related to food. Call BCC at (269) 948-9555 or visit their website at https://www.barrycountycares.org/
- Barry County Commission on Aging’s “Meals on Wheels” program provides nutritious meals to homebound adults aged 60 years or better, living in Barry County, who are unable to prepare meals themselves, but wish to remain independent in their homes. Call them at (269) 948-4856 or visit their website at https://www.barrycounty.org/commission_on_aging_new/meals_on_wheels.php
- Barry County United Way & Volunteer Center will help you when you need emergency food resources. Contact United Way at (269) 945-4010 or visit their website at https://www.bcunitedway.org/get-help/food-resources/
- Community Action Agency of South-Central Michigan’s “Commodity Supplemental Food Programs (CSFP)” provides nutritious food for seniors 60 years of age and over. In addition, the “Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)” allows low-income individuals and families to obtain food every three months through TEFAP. Contact them at (877) 422-2726 or visit their website at https://caascm.org/commodities/
- Michigan Department of Health and Human Services offer several programs to help you and your family with assistance when times are tough. Visit their website at https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/assistance-programs/food
- Michigan 2-1-1 is an easy way to find help of all kinds, right in our community. If you need help with food, they’re there for you. Call them at 211 or (844) 875-9211 or visit their website at https://mi211.org/
Trauma Aware Businesses in Barry County
Trauma Aware Businesses servicing Barry County are businesses that have participated in training or educational events through the Trauma Informed Work Group of Barry County. These businesses and agencies have learned about trauma and resilience building.
- Barry County Cares (BCC) assists people in finding the help they need in a faith-based approach. They can help with requests related to food, personal care items, household items, housing/rent, utility bills, transportation, and clothing. Call BCC at (269) 948-9555 or visit their website at https://www.barrycountycares.org/
- Barry County Community Mental Health Authority provides accessible, affordable, confidential, and quality behavioral health, physical health care, and substance use disorder services focused on prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation call them at them at (866) 266-4781 or visit their website at https://barrycountyrecovery.com/
- Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA) provides highly trained volunteers to advocate within the court system and the community for the best interest of children who are under court jurisdiction due to abuse and neglect in Barry County. Call them at (517) 331-2662 or visit their website at http://www.casaforkidsinc.org/
- Deb Timmerman & Associates, LLC, dba Less Stress in Life teaches people to prepare for, recover from, and skillfully adapt to stress, challenge, and adversity. Call them at (616) 401-7199 or visit their website at https://lessstressinlife.com
- Family Support Center of Barry County helps countless children and families find their way to a better, brighter future. They provide support for each family through comprehensive education, awareness, and advocacy. Call them at (269) 945-5429 or visit their website at https://familysupportbarry.com/
- Gold Coast Doulas offers childbirth education classes, doula support for your birth and/or postpartum period, lactation support once your baby arrives, sleep consulting, and support with household tasks during bedrest. Call them at (616) 294-0207 or visit their website at https://www.goldcoastdoulas.com/
- Thornapple Credit Union is dedicated to making our community a better place to live. Call their main office at (269) 948-8369 or visit their website at https://www.thornapplecu.com/
- West Michigan Works is part of the statewide Michigan Works! system, serving the employers and job seekers of Barry County. They work to create a qualified workforce that meets Barry County’s current and future talent needs. Call them at (616) 649-9850 or visit their website at https://www.westmiworks.org/
