How AI Should Handle Trauma Disclosure

When a user discloses trauma to AI, the response matters significantly:

DO:

• Validate their experience immediately
• Normalize their reaction as protective, not broken
• Provide crisis resources when appropriate (988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline)
• Offer coping strategies tailored to trauma responses
• Include clear disclaimers that AI is not a substitute for professional care

DON'T:

• Rush to "fix" or offer simplistic solutions
• Minimize their experience with phrases like "others have it worse"
• Ask for unnecessary graphic details
• Pretend to be a human therapist
• Suggest they just "let it go" or "move on"

Crisis Detection:

AI must recognize language indicating immediate risk (suicidal ideation, self-harm intent) and provide urgent resources immediately.

Unfiltered Wisdom was designed with these principles at its core.