Human Trafficking Training and Response Protocol Development within a Community Mental Health Clinic
Bridget O’Neil; Kimberly Hogan, PhD, LMSW, MA & Kristy McRaney, PhD | September 19 | 11:15 am-12:15 pm EDT
Topic: Direct Service, Programming | Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Human trafficking is a public health and mental health crisis, with survivors facing PTSD, depression, anxiety, and trauma bonds. Community mental health centers (CMHCs) play a vital role in providing trauma-informed care, yet barriers like mistrust, financial limitations, and fragmented services hinder recovery. To address this, the Center for Behavioral Health (CBH) recently implemented a human trafficking response protocol to improve survivor identification, treatment, and support. CBH seeks to share preliminary results from this initiative, offering insights into its effectiveness and areas for improvement. CMHCs can better support survivors through a multidisciplinary, survivor-centered approach that includes structured response protocols and culturally competent care. However, many providers lack training to address the unique needs of trafficking survivors. CBH’s protocol implementation offers lessons on bridging these gaps through improved care coordination and trauma-informed interventions. Enhancing mental health responses requires interagency collaboration between healthcare providers, law enforcement, and social services. Trust-building measures, including privacy protection, informed consent, and culturally responsive care, are essential. Policymakers, mental health professionals, and community organizations must advocate for increased training, sustainable funding, and survivor-informed services. Strengthening CMHCs’ trauma-informed care capacity will improve support systems, promote healing, and empower survivors. CBH’s preliminary findings provide valuable insights into best practices and future improvements, making expanded initiatives essential for addressing trafficking survivors’ long-term mental health needs.
Presentation Objectives:
• Identify the role of CMHCs in human trafficking response
• Discuss how CMHCs provide trauma-informed care to survivors and the barriers that hinder access to mental health services
• Evaluate the implementation and impact of a human trafficking response protocol
• Analyze the CBH’s recent protocol, its preliminary outcomes, and strategies for improving identification, treatment, and survivor support
• Present key principles of culturally competent, multidisciplinary collaboration to enhance trust, ensure privacy, and improve mental health outcomes for survivors