How You Can Help

3 Things In 3 Minutes: What You Can Do Immediately¹

Note: You should not discuss brain injury assessments with your client until you are familiar with the assessment process in your community. Know how to refer a client to appropriate supports before you talk to them about brain injury.

1) Environment:

• Minimize distractions
• Make sure the room is quiet and that there are no interruptions
• Make sure the lighting is not bothersome to the client

2) Communication and Structure:

• Plan ahead what you wish to accomplish
• Keep meetings short
• Incorporate breaks
• Focus on one task at a time
• Check her understanding, repeat if needed
• Remind her she is not at fault
• Listen and validate her feelings
• Avoid arguments and emotional undertones
  

3) Planning and Confidentiality:

• Explore options with her
• Explain to her how police/courts can help her
• Help her mobilize a support system
• Advocate for her
• Support her right to make her own decisions as far as possible
• Follow her lead when it comes to what kind of help she wants
• Do not try to take control and tell her what to do
• Be careful with written information, which can compromise safety if found at home
• Protect her confidentiality, do not do anything that will endanger her

Making A Difference²

• Learn about brain health and the impact of brain injury; share this information with your clients
• Learn about available resources in your community
• If you know or suspect that a woman you are working with has experienced IPV, ask them if they have had blows to the head, been strangled, or been unconscious
• If they have experienced these kinds of assaults, discuss the importance of assessment for brain injury
• When mapping out a safety plan, always cover brain safety (e.g., covering head with arms, running away, calling police, etc.)
• Advocate for more and improved access to brain assessment, accurate diagnosis, medical care, rehabilitation