Trauma Survivors Network - provided by ATS

Survive. Connect. Rebuild.

A Program of the ATS

South Texas Health System-McAllen

South Texas Health System (STHS) McAllen is designated a Level 1 Trauma Center by the Texas Department of State Health Services and the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Committee on Trauma, which means we provide life-saving procedures for those who are in immediate danger — arranging for essential specialty treatment within the hospital as well as working in cooperation with other trauma centers. 

Recovery for Trauma Survivors and Caregivers

You are not alone.

After a traumatic incident has occurred, survivors and caregivers may need guidance or peer support to reach recovery.

Recovery is a process where survivors and caregivers strive to improve their health and mental wellbeing. Empowerment is important for living a self-directed life. Establishing purpose with meaningful activities such as volunteer work, time spent with family and friends, school, work, or even establishing independence are helpful in reaching recovery. 

 

• Support Group for Trauma Survivors - no cost to join & open to the community

Join us for peer support groups. Individuals come together to discuss their personal recovery after a physical injury has occurred.

Please ask us how you may volunteer with the Trauma Survivors Network at STHS McAllen

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REGISTER, PLEASE CONTACT

(956)632-4929

Bianca.Hayes@uhsrgv.com

 

Our trauma team is also focused on Violence & Injury Prevention. We have a dedicated injury prevention team committed to identifying patterns of injury and directing our prevention efforts accordingly. Areas of focus include:

  • Fall Prevention
  • Motor Vehicle Safety
  • Pedestrian & Bike Safety
  • Mental Health Conditions
  • Suicide Prevention
  • Gun safety
  • Teen dating violence awareness
  • Alcohol and substance misuse

 

Programs offered by Injury Prevention:

Trauma Survivors Network

Stop the Bleed

Power of Youth Presentation & Power of Parents Presentations - in partnership with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) South Texas Affiliate

Be SMART for Kids a program by Everytown for Gun Safety- Critical importance of responsible gun storage in suicide & violence prevention

Critical Incident Stress Management for Community Organizations 

Trauma Informed Care Presentation for Community Organizations

 

 

Community Collaboration

We appreciate the support, events, and evidence-based education/presentations from organizations within our community for Injury Prevention efforts.

• MADD South Texas Affiliate - Mothers Against Drunk Driving

• Office of Border Public Health - Texas Department of State Health Services (Texas-Mexico Border) Development of sufficient health workforce & access to primary, preventive, and specialty care.

• TXDoT - Texas Department of Transportation

• The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston - CHSA First Responder Program 

 

Educational Partnerships

• Our Lady of the Lake University, Worden School of Social Work - Graduate Level Internship.

• University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, School of Social Work - Graduate Level Internship.


Upcoming Programs & Events

National Injury Prevention Day

11/18/2022

Prevention Matters Injuries are the leading cause of hospitalization and death of people from 1 to 44. INJURIES ARE PREVENTABLE You can help light the way toward injury prevention by SHINING A GREEN LIGHT! Learn more

National Trauma Survivors Day Celebration

05/17/2023

“I am a survivor!” or “I love a survivor.” On Wednesday, May 17th the TSN community will celebrate National Trauma Survivors Day (NTSD). This celebration seeks to draw inspiration from and provide support to survivors of traumatic injuries and their caregivers, opening the road to their recovery from trauma. During this event, we encourage all those who support these patients to write them a note of inspiration to aid in the recovery process and to share this note via social media thereby creating one strong voice for recovery from injury. Simply posting a message of hope and support by every one of us will create an unprecedented voice of compassion and solidarity from the trauma community on behalf of our patients and their families. #TraumaSurvivorsDay #NTSD Learn more

STOP THE BLEED

08/09/2023 • 1:00 PM

Free of cost! Open to the community. Certificates provided to participants. Instructor guidance will be provided for those that qualify to become STOP THE BLEED® Instructors. EMS, School Law Enforcement & School nurses highly encouraged to attend! To register call (956)632-4929 or email veronica.silva@uhsrgv.com Learn more

STOP THE BLEED

08/09/2023 • 3:00 PM

Free of cost! Open to the community. Certificates provided to participants. Instructor guidance will be provided for those that qualify to become STOP THE BLEED® Instructors. EMS, School Law Enforcement & School nurses highly encouraged to attend! To register call (956)632-4929 or email veronica.silva@uhsrgv.com Learn more

ADULT MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID

08/09/2023 • 8 AM - 5 PM

Most of us would know how to help if we saw someone having a heart attack — we’d start CPR or call 911. But too few of us would know how to respond if we saw someone having a panic attack or showing signs of alcoholism. Just as CPR helps you assist an individual having a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid helps you assist someone experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge or crisis. It takes the fear and hesitation out of starting conversations about mental health or substance use by improving understanding and providing an action plan that teaches people to safely and responsibly identify and address a potential issue. To register call (956)632-4929 or email veronica.silva@uhsrgv.com Learn more


Community Resources

MADD Victim Assistance

https://madd.org/victim-assistance/

If you or someone you love has been affected by a drunk or drugged driving crash, MADD wants to help. You can contact us through chat, email at victims@madd.org or on the Helpline at 1-877-623-3435 to talk to a victim advocate.

Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/988

Dial 988 In 2020, Congress designated the new 988 dialing code to be operated through the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. SAMHSA sees 988 as a first step towards a transformed crisis care system in America.

Connect with Be SMART

https://besmartforkids.org/join/

Sign up to contact your local Be SMART program today using this link

Everytown Survivor Network

https://everytownsupportfund.org/everytown-survivor-network/

The Everytown Survivor Network is a nationwide community of survivors working together to end gun violence. The Survivor Network connects survivors to each other, amplifies the power of survivor voices, offers trauma-informed programs, provides information on direct services, and supports survivors who choose to become advocates.

Everytown Survivor Network - Link to Join

https://secure.everyaction.com/oj2FmbDzfkmpGkrlqqZwZA2

For those who have been personally impacted by gun violence, follow this link to connect with other survivors on SurvivorsConnect Network: How do I connect with a SurvivorsConnect Leader? To get connected with a SurvivorsConnect Leader, fill out this SurvivorsConnect Information Form to tell us more about your experience and what would be most useful to you. The information you provide will help us to match you with a SurvivorsConnect Leader who most closely fits your preferences or needs. For example, a bereaved mother may seek to connect with another bereaved mother, or a person who has experienced domestic violence with a gun may be interested in connecting with someone else who has also survived domestic violence. Once we receive your completed SurvivorsConnect Information Form, a SurvivorsConnect Leader will contact you within 7 days to set up a convenient time to speak with you.

Heroes Helpline

https://sbmi.uth.edu/chsa/heroes-helpline.htm

Heroes Helpline 833-367-4689 for all First Responders & Healthcare Workers in Texas. Free telephone-based peer support, treatment navigation, referral services for all first responders and healthcare workers in Texas. To learn more about how we can help you, please call 833-367-4689 or visit https://heroeshelpline.org/

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