Growing up in a home where addiction and abuse is rife, many may resign themselves to the fact that they will live a life of feeling helpless and broken, but Philip Stoneman, CEO and founder of Benoni-based Trauma Support South Africa (TSSA), used his past to develop valuable skills to help others through their pain.

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“Growing up, I felt so helpless. I could not do anything to change my situation,” Stoneman said.

“The need to become helpful to those in need stayed with me and finally prompted me to become a chaplain.

“However, I soon felt helpless again as I felt that I was not properly equipped to help others.”

This soon led him to start compiling solid training material that would empower volunteers and equip them to offer valuable support and psychological first aid for anyone seeking help.

TSSA has more than 20 volunteers standing by to assist. They are trauma-informed, which means they have been trained to create a safe environment of trust where victims have a choice to collaborate to reach a successful point where healing takes place.

“We are seeing an increased number of people seeking help where addiction has led to an abusive relationship,” he said.

“Often, the habits and subsequent abuse stems from a generational line of abuse.

“We need to open up about trauma and victims need to know that their feelings are validated.

“By expressing our pain, we are setting the catalyst for a change in mindset.”

TSSA runs regular volunteer training courses and hopes that by equipping people with the ability to listen with empathy, a social change can be facilitated.

For more information about TSSA or upcoming courses, email philip@traumasupportsa.co.za