Understanding the Current Collective Trauma in the US

Navigating day to day functions while living in the US can feel confusing at times. For some, there are certain roles and responsibilities that feel consistent and familiar to their lives. Where they work, being a parent, being a friend, belonging to a book club, etc. However, when we zoom out into the larger landscape of the US, there is a shifting landscape that feels very unfamiliar and daunting to many. Many people feel challenges when it comes to making sense of trauma that is happening in their communities as well as to their peers, while also trying to maintain parts of their own lives that need attention. 

If we think back to 2020, there can be a similar feeling that can be identified. Feeling like there are still things to take care of in our immediate surroundings while also noting mass casualties, civil unrest, and widespread insecurity. It can be helpful to think about where trauma overlaps within these societal instances in order to understand our own feelings, behaviors, and thoughts. 

It can be helpful to have a name/title to these experiences. Collective trauma is a response that can follow a variety of traumatic experiences. Situations that may elicit a collective trauma response may include but are not limited to: wars, natural disasters, mass shootings, terrorism, pandemics, systematic and historical oppression, recessions, and famine or severe poverty (Aydin, 2017; Chang, 2017; Hirschberger, 2018; Saul, 2014). Similar to other trauma, collective trauma can lead to changes in physical health, mental health, relationships, and day-to-day functioning as a whole. 

We also want to understand that there is a certain level of trauma that an individual will also be subjected to when there are imminent threats to their well being due to systemic oppression. Someone losing their right to live where they have been for decades, losing access to affirming healthcare, losing their financial security, losing their ability to feel safe in public, are all contributors to collective trauma as well. So, we want to be mindful that mental health impact can persist without the ‘worst case scenario’ coming to fruition. Living in a time of uncertainty for basic human rights for yourself and loved ones can also contribute to the decrease in one’s wellbeing and elicit a trauma response.  

Collective trauma can be additionally challenging due to its scale. If we think about other forms of trauma, we almost want to think of it as an individual experience. Sure, it very well may have impacted more than one person, but usually the incident itself is an intense experience that is contained to an individual or group of people. Collective trauma is at a macro level. It is something that impacts communities, demographic groups, and society as a whole. Which adds to a feeling of helplessness to those experiencing it due to the lack of ability to protect themselves individually from trauma at a nationwide scale. 

While all of this information can feel daunting, we share it in order to validate experiences. Currently, there are situations that are collectively traumatic unfolding continuously. Which is why it’s important to highlight the things that we can control in order to feel a sense of regulation. Remember what can be important right now is connections. Connecting with those who make you feel safe, loved, and valued. Connecting with those who may need additional support, visibility, or advocacy. Connecting with organizations that work to ensure protections, resources, and care for those who are in more intense situations. 

We also want to try to be vulnerable with others. Share how you’re feeling, expressing how much you’re impacted, and trying not to downplay your emotions. We want to remember that if we suppress our feelings, a pressure cooker can happen and our feelings will intensify whether we like it or not. 

Lastly, remember to seek the support that you need. While there might not be something ‘wrong’, feeling uncomfortable for weeks at a time might be an indicator that additional mental health resources could be helpful. You are absolutely not alone and we must remember that we don’t have to shoulder everything ourselves. 

Resources

Aydin, C. (2017). How to Forget the Unforgettable? On Collective Trauma, Cultural Identity, and Mnemotechnologies, Identity, 17:3, 125-137, DOI: 10.1080/15283488.2017.1340160

Chang K (2017) Living with Vulnerability and Resiliency: The Psychological Experience of Collective Trauma. Acta Psychopathol. 3:53. doi: 10.4172/2469-6676.100125

Hirschberger G. (2018). Collective Trauma and the Social Construction of Meaning. Frontiers in psychology, 9, 1441. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01441

Saul, J. (2014). Collective trauma, collective healing: Promoting resilience in the aftermath of disaster. New York, NY: Routledge.

The information on this website is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical or psychological condition and is not a substitute for therapy. If you are experiencing an emergency please call/text 988 or go to your nearest emergency room.