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This explains why people who are LGBTI + often keep quiet and rarely seek help . Their difficulties do not end when they do try to find support , however . If they have escaped to another country , it is likely that they will need interpreters . For most arriving migrants , it can be reassuring to find someone who speaks their language and is familiar with their culture . For migrants who have fled countries that imprison people who are LGBTQI +, however , it may be harder still to share very personal information with interpreters from that country . They may fear the new country will condemn them for their orientation ; or that the interpreter will disapprove of , censor or misrepresent what they say , or translate their words incorrectly , or even pass information to the authorities of the country they have left . Intimate conversations are already difficult enough . The risks associated with interpretation can make them still harder to begin .
2.10 Trauma and resilience
Aim . To explain the meaning of resilience and its value when working with traumatised people .
The term “ resilience ” has migrated from physics and means “ the ability to return to its original shape after being stretched or bent ”. It is used in many fields . For example , a country ’ s economy is said to be resilient when it picks up after a crisis . When speaking of individual resilience , we tend to focus on a person ’ s character and personal qualities . In the context of this manual , however , “ resilience ” refers to all the factors that contribute to a positive outcome , including positive factors associated with the person , his family , his social network , and society . As mentioned in Part 1 , not everyone will experience the trauma reactions we describe . Some might never have reactions , and some might have them at later stages in life due to changed circumstances .
Personal factors include inherited traits , such as innate robustness , an optimistic temperament , and cognitive capacity . Factors that are environmentally dependent include : self-esteem , motivation , acquired skills , experience of having influence , and creativity . As explained earlier , many of these assets may be challenged by traumatic events . Factors associated with the family , social networks and society include : good family relations ; at least one trusted relative , friend , or partner ; willingness to accept help from others ; a sense of belonging ; and coping strategies that are culturally accepted .
It is worth noting the factors that helpers can strengthen . They include the survivor ’ s self-esteem , experience of having influence , and skill set . Helpers can become trusted . They can also help survivors to find coping strategies that are acceptable in their new contexts . ( Imagine a Somali boy who resettles in another country as a single minor . He survived on the streets of Mogadishu by staying with friends . When his new municipality assigns him to a dormitory , the boy naturally invites his friends to stay for as long as they want . Just as naturally , the municipal authorities consider that the boy has violated dormitory rules , behaved inappropriately , and lacks discipline .)
Helpers can also help survivors to plan and set short term goals . If a survivor ’ s goal is to exercise or do language study two days a week , the helper can help him keep to the schedule .
Survivors may need help to set goals that are realistic , both in terms of what they want to achieve , and the effort required to succeed . In this area , it may be helpful to encourage survivors to think both about their motivation ( meaningfulness ) and the skills they possess .