English Mental health and gender-based violence English version | Page 74

64 Triggered memories
TO THE TRAINER
PART II : THE TRAINING

Triggered memories

Aim . To deepen further the group ’ s understanding of how trauma responses are triggered .
Before asking participants to role play , the Trainer should demonstrate how to explain to survivors the nature of triggers and trauma reminders . Show the participants before they try it out themselves .
The role play is a good opportunity to demonstrate that it is possible to talk about triggers without going into detail about the traumatic event . You can also show that it is possible to explain the response in a short time .
After your demonstration , write the triggers on the wings of Figure 4 ( The Butterfly Woman experiences triggers and flashbacks ). Complete the drawing before you start Role Play 4 .
ROLE PLAY EXERCISE
Role Play 4 . Retelling the story and understanding triggers .
Telling the Butterfly Woman ’ s story can help a survivor to understand her own reactions and how her own memories are triggered .
The story puts her reactions in a meaningful context . It gives her clues to her own trauma reminders . This can empower her and lessen her shame . In many cultures it can be a great taboo to talk about having strong emotional reactions . When she uses the metaphor of the Butterfly Woman , a survivor is not forced to describe her own feelings and reactions . She can communicate them indirectly . Through the story , both the helper and the survivor find distance and freedom , enabling them to speak to one another about things that are unspeakable .
TEACHING INSTRUCTION .
Recap . Say again what a trigger is and what a flashback is . Remind the participants that , after trauma , we become sensitised to reminders of past threats . Explain how traumatic events are stored differently from ordinary memory . Use these explanations to deepen understanding of how the responses of the Butterfly Woman are triggered .