Sympathy Based Trauma describes the response to a child traumatized by an event.  The community, school, church or neighborhoods knows of a family or child suffering and steps forward to offer sympathy, compassion, emotional support, money and meets the needs in a variety of loving ways.  This helps the child heal from trauma because the community knows and offers the child a chance to express their fears.  Over time the child will heal and move on with their life.  An example of trauma is the Columbine shootings where counselors were sent and support was sent from around the world.  The children who survived the trauma have matured and moved on.

Example of Sympathy Based Trauma

• Car wreck
• Terminal parent
• House fire
• Loss of loved one
• Natural disaster

Death of Parent

• Industrial Accident
• Auto accident
• Military service
• Line of duty
• Job related
• Orphaned through parents car accident
• Cancer

• Fund raiser
• House raising
• Bake sale
• Fliers, dance, walk a thon, bike rally,
• Government sponsored mental health counseling
• Flowers, cards, sympathy, out pouring of sympathy and community help

• Emotional and psychological bonding
• Verbal praise and encouragement
• Develop a sense of security
• Finances for basic needs and vacations
• Available for school functions, tuition for outside activities
• Lots of hugs and kisses,
• Reading nightly to child

In an ideal world, every traumatized child would receive loving compassion from their parents, extended family and community members.