What a Gift!
I think we would all agree that we are in the midst of an unprecedented (I know you’re as tired of hearing that word as I am) public health crisis. We are living with the first global mass trauma event for several decades. It’s arguably the first of its kind since World War Two, and likely the first of such severity in our lifetime.
When thinking about Covid-19, though, “trauma”, let alone “mass trauma”, may not be the first thing that comes to mind–how about inflation, all the political brouhaha, devastating storms, and keeping physically well to name a few.
In the past our psychology community has thought trauma was the experience of direct physical harm or violence. This definition now includes threats of violence and the witnessing of violence toward others. One can imagine how we all may experience traumatic stress throughout our lives.
After experiencing a traumatic event, there are factors that can prevent us from developing PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) such as a supportive social network, immediate mental health intervention, and using other coping strategies. That’s why our community has decided to offer an extraordinary opportunity to come together within our families and our communities to address our mental health healing.
We all need to realize that our trauma is still valid even if
We didn’t tell anyone
We can’t remember all of it
It happened a long time ago
People didn’t believe us
We are feeling better now
We didn’t realize it was traumatic until later
Our life wasn’t threatened
We know people who have been through worse
Question–have you ever wondered Why did I do that? or Why can’t I just control my behavior? Others may judge our reactions and think, What’s wrong with that person? When questioning our emotions, it’s easy to place the blame on ourselves; holding ourselves and those around us to an impossible standard. It’s time we started asking a different question.
Through deeply personal conversations, Oprah Winfrey and renowned brain and trauma expert Dr. Bruce Perry offers a groundbreaking and significant shift from asking “What’s wrong with you?” to “What happened to you?”
“What Happened to You?” is a conversational format with Oprah discussing her own experience of childhood abuse and Dr. Perry drawing from his long career as a clinician and expert in the neuroscience of Adverse Childhood Experiences.
Next month, we have the opportunity here in Richland County to join discussion sessions to reflect on the importance of psychological development, and how all of us can shift our understanding to be more inclusive and promote positive growth after adversity.
Interested community members can choose to attend either in-person or zoom (online) discussions to accommodate different needs. In-person discussions will take place from 6pm-7pm on January 19, 26, and February 2nd at the Richland Center Community Center. Zoom discussions are planned for Fridays: January 21, 28, and February 4th from 11am-12pm at no cost! .
Thanks to a donation from Richland County Children and Family Advocacy Council, books and audiobooks are now available for checkout at the Brewer Public Library. Registration is required to receive additional information for the community discussions using this link: https://go.wisc.edu/8x99ta or by contacting the Richland County Extension Office at 608-647-6148 or chelsea.wunnicke@wisc.edu.
Let’s take advantage of this wonderful healing option that our community is offering–we are SO blessed! Progress not perfection, Warriors!
Colvic 19 Humor: My 30th birthday is today, but I just wanted everyone to know that I will be postponing it indefinitely due to Coronavirus, and I will be turning 30 at a later date. Thank you!
