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SEVEN EDGE PROGRAM FOR TRAUMA RECOVERY & EMPOWERMENT

Understanding Suicide: A Trauma-Empowered Perspective

Suicide and suicidal ideation remain one of the most devastating global health issues, intensifying significantly over the decades. According to the World Health Organization, suicide rates have increased by an alarming 120% since the 1950s. This stark rise highlights a crisis that intersects public health, mental health, and social stability, requiring a nuanced and effective approach to prevention and treatment.


The statistics are grim: approximately 90% of individuals who die by suicide were diagnosed with a mental illness, often treated with medications that carry severe warnings, including risks of inducing suicidal thoughts. This information underlines a crucial, yet often overlooked, aspect of mental healthcare: the impact of pharmacological treatments on patients' mental states, which can sometimes exacerbate the very symptoms they aim to alleviate.

In over 25 years of clinical practice with more than 3000 clients, I have observed that the journey to such a desperate state is rarely a simple trajectory.


Instead, it often involves a complex interplay of environmental, physiological, and neurological factors. The primary catalyst, however, consistently appears to be an erosion of the individual’s sense of self-worth or value. This degradation can stem from multiple sources, both internal and external, leading to feelings of hopelessness and entrapment.


The SEPTRE model, informed by these observations, identifies Seven Psychological Essentials vital for human thriving: Safety, Stability and Security; Progress; Autonomy; Connection/Community; Stimulation and Recreation; Self-Worth; and Purpose. A deficiency in any of these essentials can precipitate feelings of depression, despondency, and desperation. The absence of these elements creates a fertile ground for suicidal ideation, as individuals feel increasingly isolated and without recourse.


Adding to the complexity is the often ineffective and sometimes destructive traditional approaches to mental health issues. The current systems, which can be unresponsive or inaccessible, contribute to a sense of frustration and despair among those seeking help. This inefficacy underscores the necessity for innovative solutions like the Trauma Empowered Program offered by SEPTRE. This program aims to deliver not just interventions but true hope, healing, and happiness by addressing root causes of mental distress, including unresolved trauma.

Suicide, in its most tragic form, represents an individual’s final attempt to escape unbearable pain. This unresolved pain stems from a profound sense of hopelessness, a feeling of being trapped, and a perception that the world has nothing left to offer. SEPTRE’s approach is distinctive in that it meets all six criteria for scientific inquiry into the mechanisms of trauma. It not only identifies but also strategically addresses the traumas that lead to the downward spiral ending in suicide.


SEPTRE’s effectiveness is rooted in its science-based, evidence-supported methodologies that are straightforward and non-complex. By uncovering and addressing the traumas that underpin suicidal ideation, SEPTRE offers a clear, scientific path to recovery. Its premise is simple yet profound: discovering the truth about one’s experiences and emotions can liberate and heal. This realization aligns with the adage that "the truth sets you free," providing a foundation for recovery and resilience.


By uncovering and addressing the traumas that underpin suicidal ideation, SEPTRE offers a clear, scientific path to recovery.


In conclusion, the global issue of suicide necessitates a re-evaluation of our current mental health paradigms and an embracement of innovative approaches like those pioneered by SEPTRE.

By addressing the holistic needs of individuals and tackling the root causes of mental health crises, such programs not only save lives but also enhance the quality of life for countless individuals, offering a beacon of hope in the ongoing battle against the suicide epidemic.


The Trauma Empowered Revolution has begun and when you become Trauma Empowered  it will literally change your pathway from one of destruction and despair to Hope, Healing, and Happiness. There are not just words SEPTRE has turned this into a Science!




About Ernie

Ernie J. Wouters
P. Eng. MACP, TITC-CT
International Trauma Consultant, Corporate Leadership Consultant, Psychotherapist & Clinical Traumatologist
All pathways stem from unresolved trauma." But there is great news! The Trauma Empowered Revolution has begun, and when you become Trauma Empowered, it will literally change your pathway from one of destruction and despair to hope, healing, and happiness. These are not just words; SEPTRE has turned this into a science!

Ernie J. Wouters is the visionary force behind "The Trauma Empowered Revolution," a movement transforming mental health paradigms from symptom-focused to solution-driven.


With over two decades of expertise as a Clinical Traumatologist and ordained minister, Ernie pioneers holistic approaches to trauma recovery and empowerment. His innovative Seven Edge Program for Trauma Recovery and Empowerment (SEPTRE) stands at the forefront of this revolution, offering concrete solutions rooted in science and aimed at restoring hope, healing, and happiness.


From revolutionizing emergency response systems to consulting on international projects, Ernie's commitment to systemic change in mental health continues to inspire and empower individuals worldwide.


Join the Trauma Empowered Revolution:

Our program focuses on a holistic understanding of trauma. It empowers individuals to uncover and address the cognitive reasons behind their trauma, validates and acknowledges the emotional turmoil experienced, and fosters a deep understanding of the trauma's impact from a 360-degree viewpoint. By doing so, participants can finally release the traumatic event, leading to a significant deactivation of their physiological stress responses. This comprehensive healing process facilitates a restorative state of relaxation, enabling the body, mind, and soul to begin the healing journey.