Episode 159: Dealing with Collective Trauma

Our world is not what it used to be. We no longer experience collectively traumatic events every now and then; instead, we are living in a constant state of collective trauma, characterized by natural disasters, mass shootings, and of course, the COVID-19 pandemic. A traumatic event is described as something that causes physical, emotional, or psychological distress or harm, and the impacts that these experiences can have on people, particularly children, adolescents, and young adults who are still in their early developmental stages, are multifold and can be detrimental to their ability to reach their potential. As the adults in our families and in our businesses, it is up to us to look out for behaviors which signal that those around us are struggling, and to do what we can to help them improve their situation. A conscious, adaptive, and supportive community is the way forward, and our ability to achieve this will determine whether our society falters or flourishes. 

What you’ll learn about in this episode:

• Collective trauma that we are experiencing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• What the definition of trauma is.
• The ten deadliest events in U.S history. 
• One of the most memorable collectively traumatic events of my childhood.
• Impacts of collective trauma on the physical and mental health of our children.
• Our duty, as adults, to help the children in our lives manage the collective trauma they are subjected to.
• Example of the types of traumas that have become far too common in today’s world.
• Ways to help children who have experienced trauma.
• Recommended reading on the topic of trauma.
• The value of utilizing a systems approach.
• Patterns to look out for in your family and in your business which indicate trauma.
• How you can mitigate the impact of adverse childhood experiences for those around you.