Information for Survivors of Trauma

What Are Some Signs that an Event Was a Trauma?

If you find yourself experiencing any of the following, it’s a good idea to seek support from a counselor or the resources listed below. 

• replaying the experience over and over in your mind
• repeatedly asking yourself what you could have done or telling yourself what you should have done differently
• recurrent feelings as though you are actually re-living or “flashing back” to the experience
• repeated nightmares about the experience
• trouble concentrating
• trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
• loss of appetite or overeating
• persistent feelings of fear, guilt, sadness, worthlessness or hopelessness
• lack of motivation
• lack of energy
• increased worry
• use of alcohol or drugs to “feel better” or forget the unpleasant memories
• sudden onset of one or more of these sensations: pounding heartbeat, shaking, sweating, a choking feeling/shortness of breath, nausea or butterflies on your stomach or numbness or weakness in parts of your body
• thoughts of suicide

At a minimum, these can be very distracting to your schoolwork or even cause you to experience serious difficulty functioning in school, at your job or in other aspects of your life. Remember, the counselors in Counseling Services  are trained in and available to provide specific, therapeutic counseling support to help with such thoughts and feelings. The focused resources below can provide tailored support as well.

Resources for Survivors of Trauma

• Sexual Assault
  • Resources through SARN
  • For Male Identified Survivors
  • Resources for LGBTQ+ Individuals
  • Delaware Sexual Assault Response Network (SARN)
• Intimate Partner Violence in Current or Previous Relationships
  • Local Resources through Turning Point 
  • Resources for LGBTQ+ Individuals
• Stalking
  • Resources Through SARN
  • Resources for LGBTQ+ Individuals
• Child Physical Abuse or Neglect (no matter the amount of time passed) 
  • RAINN Resources
  • For Male Identified Survivors
• Human Trafficking or Labor Trafficking
  • Resources through Salvation Army
• Hate Crimes
  • Resources for LGBTQ+ individuals

Advocacy Services for Sexual Assault or Intimate Partner Violence is available to any Ohio Wesleyan Students or Employees through Helpline's Sexual Assault Response Network. To learn more call 800.684.2324, text helpline to 898211, or visit SARN website

If you are in an emergency situation Visit Our Main Page For Crisis Resources or call our on call therapist at 866-564-1636