I remember 5 years ago when we first heard about the spread of the COVID virus. As it grew to a national pandemic, we became concerned about its impact on us. There were questions about its health impact, our vulnerability, our fears for our families, the concerns about our livelihood, national economic concerns, whether schools and businesses would stay open, supply issues, etc. There were so many potential questions that were unanswered and consequences that were unknown. We began to be preoccupied with fear and a sense of helplessness against an unpredictable set of outcomes. We watched intensely as the daily news reports were replete with all that was happening in our country that was life and death traumatic. It was a hovering and constant stressor.
We know that the impact of COVID had pervasive effects to so many areas in American culture. There were thousands of people who experienced the virus, hospitals were overrun, our economy struggled, schools and businesses closed, and all kinds of conflicts arose. No one really knew what would happen next and there was destabilizing insecurity. The mental anguish and trauma had lasting effects in our country and still are a big part of our mental health struggles.
As we look at the circumstances of what is currently going on at the national level in America, we are sensing similar levels of insecurity and trauma due to the many changes. For instance, over 100,000 government employees have been fired or laid off. Over 170,000 corporate employees have been fired due to economic concerns. There has been a significant negative impact in the stock market jeopardizing retirement and/or investment accounts. There are concerns about increased inflation. The trade wars threaten to create instability in prices that are already high. The political divides are more prominent than ever. Many caregiving organizations’ funding and grant sources have been frozen. There are concerns about what will be the future of our schools and many other of our public services that may be compromised. The issues surrounding the marginalized populations are leaving targeted individuals to feel powerless and insecure about their future. This list goes on and on right now.
Regardless of what political persuasion and philosophy we may be convinced of, there is a strong sense of fear about the unknown future. Many people feel that trapped sense of helplessness and powerlessness. They feel they have no voice or sense of confidence in their own future. For some, there is hope is that this will be a season of stress and pain that will eventually turn around and be economically better for our country. At least that is the promise of those leading this movement.
When we put on our trauma lens, we recognize that even if the conditions change for the better, the trauma imprint will endure long past these changes. It is just the way the neurological impact of trauma works. The sense of powerlessness, helplessness and intense fear will remain throughout our country for years to come as it did with COVID even though it is different than a pandemic. Although the economic issues may be temporary, the corresponding trauma impact will not be. The issues of broken trust, financial devastation, food and housing insecurity, family relational strain and shortage of resources will endure while we recover from all that is currently part of our societal trauma aura. This will be costly to combat as we strive to emerge from its neurological and personal impact.
For those of us who are trauma-informed and provide trauma training and therapy, there will be yet another need to help Americans cope with the enduring stress of the current changes. We still do not know what the current trending will yield and how long that impact will exist. That alone is traumatic to so many and will require a significant level of education, intervention and therapeutic support for those who have been impacted with this aura of trauma. As quickly as economic growth can turn around, this type of trauma will be pervasive for many years to come. Hopefully we will find ways to help our neighbors and fellow citizens cope and emerge with the right support. This will be yet another journey of healing and continuing recovery.
Gerry Vassar
President/CEO
