Collective Trauma Response: Addressing difficult feelings in a topsy-turvy world
13 Jun 2017
Fight, Flight, Paralysis
By Shannon Burgert Once in a while, an event happens that shakes the emotional core of a community. In Boulder County, those events have mostly been natural disasters. The 2010 Fourmile Canyon wildfire destroyed 169 homes, and three years later Boulder County was hit by the catastrophic flooding of 2013. As a community, we rallied and rebuilt. Some of us were affected far more severely than others, but many of us, on some level, were part of a collective trauma and healing.![](/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/collective-trauma-Jamestown.jpg)
TOP PHOTO: People anxiously watch the smoke from the Sunshine Canyon Fire in 2017. Although no loss of life or property occurred, the community is understandably nervous about any wildfire after suffering through the Fourmile Canyon Fire in 2010, which destroyed 169 homes. (photo by Jedidiah McClurg)Today’s political climate has provoked a range of emotions, including a collective despondency. For people on all sides of the political field, the 2016 campaign process felt harsh and unnerving, and the continuing polarization has bruised countless relationships among families and friends. Current government policy decisions are also contributing to shared distress within specific populations.
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(photo courtesy Celia Bockhoff)
Tune In, Turn Off
Bockhoff explains that while an event that triggers a collective mental state might be shared, the response is still personal. It can show up as oversleeping or sleeplessness, overeating or loss of appetite. People commonly report feeling helpless, unfocused and preoccupied. There can be a sense of isolation, and some people turn to distractions like TV or numbing agents like alcohol. Coping strategies, too, are personal. “You have to figure it out for yourself,” Bockhoff says. But for good or for bad, people’s moods feed off each other. Bockhoff points to the heightened expression of fear and anger in social media, noting that some people are deciding to “defriend” those whose negativity is infectious.![](/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/collective-trauma-Sween-300x200.jpg)
(photo courtesy Erik Sween)
Healing Your Anxious Self
“This is a good time to rededicate yourself to your core values,” Bockhoff suggests. “Times of transition are like that. What are your priorities?” Choose one cause and turn frustration or hopelessness into action, she advises. You can make phone calls, donate money or volunteer, but make your action manageable; helping even one person can make a big difference. “The bottom line is that you want to empower yourself.” That said, she notes that community action, like the way people united to help flood victims or participated in the recent women’s and science marches, can create a collective energy that is invigorating. Rest, exercise and healthy eating support emotional resilience, too. Bockhoff reminds people to care for themselves spiritually, and notes the many local forums and resources for supporting spiritual health. Boulder County also has a strong cadre of therapists, an important route if you are feeling particularly overwhelmed or not fully functional. Loud emphasizes the importance of spending time with friends and family as well as focusing on the small victories in the world. “There’s lots of awesomeness going on, it’s just not on the news,” he says. Attend to the hobbies you enjoy or take on a new creative endeavor. And get outside, says Bockhoff. “One of our greatest resources is the natural beauty that we live in. Walk in nature—it’s so restorative. It also helps us connect with the big picture and remember what’s important.”![](/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/collective-trauma-Rob-Loud-by-Jim-Campbell-OmLight-Photography-300x200.jpg)
Coping Strategies
- “I sit down in my favorite chair with a new mystery and a glass of wine or bourbon. It takes me to a place where all I have to worry about is who killed that awful man that nobody liked anyway. Just the physical signal of sitting down with the book is enough to put me in a different mood.”
- “Exercise is crucial for my mental health, but it can take a lot to get going. When I’m in that space, I tell myself to commit to just five minutes for a walk or run or weights, and I have permission to stop if I’m no more motivated after those few minutes. Usually I keep going, but giving myself that permission often gets me out the door. And of course I remind myself that I never regret exercising, I only regret sitting on the couch.”
- “Chocolate is my friend.”