How to Respond to the Year From Hell: 3 Responses to Race and Pandemic Trauma
It goes without saying that 2020 has been the year from hell for most of us. If you're anything like me, you probably started off 2020 with plans to crush your New Years resolutions, travel, meet a new boo and live your best life ever. All of that seemed realistically possible until mid March when our reality changed. Let me just say, I was NOT ready! Like never before, the entire country locked down in an effort to combat the Covid-19 pandemic. I quickly came to realize that for the next few months, me and the rest of the world will live each each day with uncertainty for the next.
So far, 2020 has thrown us all for a loop! We started to feel the downhill spiral when legendary basketball player Kobe Bryant died. Then, the Covid-19 pandemic slapped us in the face with the loss of many lives and millions of people becoming infected. But just when you thought things couldn’t get any worse, the death of George Floyd and many other African American victims of police brutality and structural racism sparked the reemergence of the Black Lives Matter movement. In addition, we recently lost the only super hero that we could identify with, which sent almost every black person into mourning. All of these events meant that we were experiencing collective trauma.
Collective trauma is the psychological impact that is shared by a large group of people who have all experienced or witnessed the same event.
What does this mean for us as people of color? It means that decades of social and racial injustice come to the surface. It also means that we are only left with the memories of the innocent and heroic people we’ve lost. We were definitely caught off guard by these events to say the least! When major unforeseen events such as these happen, our coping mechanisms usually kick in and respond the best way it knows how. For some, this can mean an increase of alcohol and drug use, violent behavior, binge eating and more to deal with an increase of anxiety, fear, and uncertainty. In response to a negative event, we tend to become hyper vigilant and we can resort to unhealthy alternatives at times. So the question becomes, What the hell do I do now?
1. Unplug from Social Media
Yes, I know, this might be how you stay connected to the world, especially in times of quarantine, but the overwhelming flood of tragic news and graphic images can actually increase your risk of depression, low self-esteem and anxiety. Not to mention vicarious trauma from watching violence on Black bodies
2. Make your voice heard
With the recent social injustices taking place, it’s easy to feel hopeless, outraged and discouraged. If you want to counteract those feelings and voice your opinion, join activist groups whose beliefs align with yours. You can also protest, sign a petition or donate to groups actively working to make a change. This will allow you to be apart of the change that you seek and in turn reduce the negative feelings within, especially feelings of guilt that can arise.
3. Utilize your supports
We have all been through it this year! But one of the most important things you can do is talk to someone you trust about what you’r experiencing. Whether it’s a friend, family member or therapist, having someone to listen to you and help process your feelings will help you decompress from all that is going on.
Doing these things, which are a practice self-care can be hella helpful. The things happening in the world can begin to preoccupy our minds and in turn, affect how we care for ourselves. Self-care includes up keeping your hygiene, doing something that is relaxing and enjoyable for yourself. This will serve as a mental distraction as well.
Trauma changes our perspectives, feelings, behavior, self-identity, and can have a direct impact on our level of vulnerability—making us more vulnerable to new sources of hurt and trauma. The mental distress can be overwhelming and it can feel as if the impacts of the trauma are not equally shared. Everyones psychological reactions to trauma will vary because there is no ONE way to experience trauma. But, utilizing the recommended tips above will give you Annod in the right direction…for you ;)
If you have any questions or comments, please drop them down below!