By the Methodist Welfare Services Communications Team / Photos and graphics courtesy of Methodist Welfare Services
Triumph over grief Despite the rocky start, the consistent care and support from staff eventually broke down Huda’s walls. Finally, she was able to talk about and process her grief. Trauma is often born out of adverse life experiences, such as the death of a parent during childhood, like in Huda’s case. In working with Huda, the MWS GR team adopted a Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) Huda (left) with Subhashini, Senior Social Worker at MWS Girls' Residence
G
approach, which recognises the impact trauma has on individuals.
rief gripped Huda when she lost
Built on core principles like collaboration
her father—her confidante and best
and empowerment, the TIC approach
friend—at the tender age of 11. His death,
empowered Huda to heal from her
traumatic to Huda, stirred up deep feelings
childhood trauma and rebuild her life.
of abandonment and loss within her. "The guidance and support I received at For years, she could not process the
MWS Girls’ Residence helped me in the last
traumatic grief and ended up mixing with
few years. Understanding how to process my
bad company, playing truant and losing
grief, overcome my trauma and cope with
interest in her studies. Huda’s relationship
difficult emotions have been very beneficial,"
with her family also worsened over the
said Huda. "I can now manage my emotions
years as communication broke down.
and stress independently, such as calming myself by playing simple songs on the guitar,
At 15, she was referred to MWS Girls’
a skill that I picked up at the Residence."
Residence (GR) where she began her healing journey. "Due to her strained family
Huda also reconciled with her family, under
relationships and the loss of her father,
Subhashini’s patient guidance. "I helped
Huda initially found it challenging to trust
Huda’s family to understand the impact
and open up to adults, especially with
of grief on Huda, and how to support
regard to grief from her father’s passing,"
her emotionally," said Subhashini. "This
said Subhashini Kunasagar, Huda’s social
brought healing to Huda, and she gradually
worker who oversees her case.
became more resilient and empowered."
26 Methodist Message
October 2022