Basic and Advanced Workshops on Trauma for Nigerian Community Resilience

As part of the Securing Nigerian Communities (SNC) project, Equal Access International and Carefronting Nigeria launched two comprehensive trauma training workshops in April 2024, aimed at equipping local leaders with essential trauma-informed skills to foster resilience and stability within Nigerian communities.

The first workshop, held from April 15-19 at Mogadishu Metro Hotel in Kaduna State, gathered participants from Kaduna and Kano. The second, from April 22-26 at Jonggrand Hotel in Plateau State, included attendees from Benue and Plateau.

Each session covered fundamental and advanced trauma topics, enabling participants to understand trauma, deliver trauma-informed care, and provide support to individuals of varying ages and backgrounds.

Participants engaged in interactive sessions led by expert facilitators, focusing on trauma effects, counselling approaches, self-care, and secondary trauma management. Emphasis was placed on building support networks, cultural sensitivity, and sustainable community impact. Additionally, participants were trained to establish community listening centres and manage support groups, ultimately enhancing their communities’ capacity for healing and resilience.

This initiative is a proactive step toward addressing trauma in Nigeria, combining security with mental health support to promote long-term peace and well-being.

Strengthening Community Resilience Through Trauma-Informed Training

As part of the trauma training workshops, participants were encouraged to form mutual support groups within their Local Government Areas (LGAs). These groups provided a space for sharing personal experiences, motivations, and challenges, fostering a respectful and supportive atmosphere. Through these discussions, participants also identified roles within their teams and developed preferred methods of offering and receiving support in difficult times.

To deepen connection and understanding, a “Concentric Communication” exercise had participants rotate partners to discuss questions like, “What qualities do you seek in a friend?” and “What positive actions have you taken that you’re proud of?” This activity enhanced listening skills and helped participants appreciate diverse expressions and perspectives.

The first day concluded with a session on understanding stress and trauma. Participants explored their interpretations of trauma and identified common trauma responses, such as fight, flight, and freeze. Using the metaphor of a “trauma onion,” facilitators illustrated how individual trauma impacts family and community dynamics, setting the foundation for trauma-informed care in their local contexts.

Exploring Trauma and Building Communication Skills
Day two focused on understanding primary and secondary trauma, distinguishing direct experiences from vicarious ones, and exploring normal versus traumatic stress. Participants practised compassionate listening, learning to avoid interruptions and refrain from giving advice.

Using Johari’s Window—a tool for self-awareness in counselling—participants examined aspects of self-knowledge and communication. In a “Four-part Listening” activity, they practised identifying facts, emotions, and values in shared stories. The day ended with participants sharing personal resilience stories within their support groups, reinforcing empathy and mutual support.

Advanced Trauma Training and Support Techniques
On Days 3 and 4, participants deepened their trauma support skills through various emotional and practical exercises. Day 3 focused on emotional boundaries and self-care, with participants engaging in an “Empty Chair” activity to express unspoken words to loved ones, followed by a grounding exercise. The group explored grief, loss, and the stages of mourning, and practiced the “first responder” approach in trauma narratives, asking open-ended questions to support those sharing their experiences.

Day 4 transitioned into advanced trauma training, with participants reflecting on trauma triggers and discussing types of trauma, including collective and cultural trauma. The facilitators introduced the Trauma Triangle to illustrate how violence, conflict, and trauma are interconnected. Participants also learned trauma-first responder roles, emphasizing support over advice. The day concluded with a session on supporting traumatized children, focusing on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and therapeutic strategies like play therapy and trauma-focused CBT.

Healing, Recovery, and Emotional First Aid
The final day focused on Adverse Childhood Experiences (A.C.E), where participants explored how trauma from childhood events like loss, abuse, and neglect impacts adulthood. A screening of the documentary Healing Neen showcased Tonier Cain’s journey from trauma to advocacy, inspiring participants with the message that healing is possible.

The day also covered the Snail Model of Counselling, emphasizing stages of recovery: Breaking Free, Acknowledgement, and Reconnection. Emotional First Aid (EFA) was discussed as a vital response to emotional crises, distinct from therapy but essential in supporting individuals in distress. The importance of self-care for counsellors was highlighted.

The workshop concluded with a closing circle, a post-test, and certificate awards. Rev. Yunusa Sabo Nmadu and Barr. Olivia Daziem recognized participants’ efforts and committed to integrating the trained counsellors into state mediation centers, with promises of further collaboration for trauma support in local communities.

Participant Feedback

Participants noted the workshop’s unique facilitation style, which fostered active engagement and healing, with facilitators participating alongside them. Many highlighted the “Empty Chair” activity as pivotal to their personal growth. In Plateau, two previously estranged participants reconciled, underscoring the workshop’s impact on both personal healing and community unity.

Conclusion

This trauma resilience workshop underscores the critical importance of providing trauma-informed support in communities affected by crisis and conflict. By equipping local leaders with practical tools and a compassionate understanding of trauma, Carefronting Nigeria, in collaboration with Equal Access International, has taken a step towards building stronger, more resilient communities.
These workshops not only foster personal healing but also promote reconciliation and peace, as demonstrated by participants’ positive transformations and renewed connections. Carefronting Nigeria is deeply grateful to Equal Access International for their partnership in delivering such impactful training. With each initiative, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting Nigerian communities through trauma healing, psychosocial support, and sustainable peace-building efforts.