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Author: Amanda Hanna, Founder of SomaPsych
"By understanding the connections between trauma and social justice, we open up avenues for collective healing, which is essential for fostering resilience and empowerment in affected communities."
The relationship between trauma (an experience that overwhelms the nervous systems capacity to cope and fundamentally changes how one moves through the world) and social justice (the pursuit of equity and fairness for all by addressing systemic barriers that create disadvantage for marginalized groups) is profoundly intertwined, as both concepts influence and shape the experiences of individuals and communities.
Trauma, whether stemming from personal experiences or systemic oppression, can have lasting impacts on mental health, social relationships, and overall well-being. Recognizing the roots of trauma within societal structures allows us to address the underlying injustices that exacerbate these experiences.
By understanding the connections between trauma and social justice, we open up avenues for collective healing, which is essential for fostering resilience and empowerment in affected communities. This understanding encourages us to engage in meaningful change by promoting policies and practices that acknowledge and confront social inequities. In doing so, we can create a more inclusive society that not only addresses the wounds of the past but also works toward a healthier, more equitable future for all.
Understanding Collective Trauma:
Individual trauma can stem from experiences like accidents, natural disaters or abusive relationships
Collective trauma can emerge from systemic patterns affecting entire communities
Examples include communities experiencing police violence, workplace discrimination, or environmental injustice
These experiences shape our nervous systems and how we navigate the world
Recognizing Survival Responses: When facing chronic stress from systemic inequities, people naturally develop protective strategies:
Hypervigilance: constantly scanning for danger
Withdrawal: emotional numbing or disconnection
Perfectionism: overachieving to prove worth
Conflict avoidance: self-silencing to maintain safety
These aren't character flaws, they are adaptive/normal responses to navigating unjust/harmful systems.
Creating Meaningful Change:
In mental health: Address both personal healing and systemic contexts
In education: Teach about the neurobiological impacts of oppression alongside history
In organizations: Build trauma-informed policies that acknowledge power dynamics
In community work: Balance urgent action with sustainable care practices
Practical Steps Forward:
Practice collective care alongside self-care
Build support networks that understand both trauma and justice
Learn about the science of stress and resilience
Connect personal experiences to larger patterns without shame
Celebrate small victories while working toward systemic change
By honouring both our need for healing and our capacity for transformation, we create communities where everyone can thrive. This integrated approach doesn't just heal past wounds—it helps build a more just and compassionate future.
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To learn more about the trauma-informed practice and social justice, please head over to our website where you can find the 20HR Intro To Trauma-Informed Practice Training and 300HR Trauma-Informed Facilitator Training.
Author: Amanda Hanna, Founder of SomaPsych
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