P-21 The Traumatic Impact of Community Violence Exposure on Children: Perceptions and Experiences of School Mental Health workers in Trinidad

Buller Hall Hallways

This qualitative study will explore the perceptions and experiences of school mental health personnel who provide support for children who live in communities with high levels of community violence in Trinidad. This study aims to gain insight into the type/s and frequency of community violence children are exposed to, the possible trauma symptoms observed, and the interventions used to respond to these children through the experiences of these school mental health workers. Three to six school mental health workers will be interviewed face to face, or via Zoom, using semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis will be used for this phenomenological study. The findings will inform future interventions, and provide more information to inform intervention, practice, and policy.