Yazidi Mental Health and Collective Trauma and Terror

Pandemics are not new phenomena in human history but in a globalised and interconnected planet the differential impact upon each generation may be distinctive. The concept of trauma has been widely discussed over the last 18 months with emphasis on a collective stress and distress but also in respect of those who are vulnerable to psychological adversity because of established prior mental health diagnoses. Much debate has centred on the impact of the pandemic on mental illness, both new and established, and this chapter will examine the utility of interpreting the psychological outcome at individual and societal level through the lens of collective trauma. At risk populations, such as healthcare workers and those recovering from infection will be a special focus of this chapter.

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Collective Trauma: Terrain That Challenges Conventional Wisdom on Mental HealthCollective Trauma: Terrain That Challenges Conventional Wisdom on Mental Health

PsycCRITIQUES ◽

10.1037/a0036545 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 5959 (2222) ◽

Author(s):

Steven N. Gold

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Conventional Wisdom ◽

Collective Trauma

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Media Exposure to Collective Trauma, Mental Health, and Functioning: Does It Matter What You See?

Clinical Psychological Science ◽

10.1177/2167702619858300 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 111-124 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

E. Alison Holman ◽

Dana Rose Garfin ◽

Pauline Lubens ◽

Roxane Cohen Silver

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

New York ◽

Functional Impairment ◽

Acute Stress ◽

Media Exposure ◽

National Sample ◽

Collective Trauma ◽

Graphic Image ◽

Boston Marathon ◽

Representative National Sample

Media exposure to collective trauma is associated with acute stress (AS) and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). Qualities of media exposure (e.g., amount, graphic features) contributing to this distress are poorly understood. A representative national sample (with New York and Boston oversamples; N = 4,675) completed anonymous, online surveys 2 to 4 weeks after the Boston Marathon bombings (BMB; Wave 1, or W1) and again 6 months later (Wave 2, or W2; N = 3,598). W1 assessed BMB-related AS and media exposure (i.e., hours of media consumption, graphic image content) 1 week post-BMB; W2 assessed PTSS, fear of future terrorism, and functional impairment. Greater exposure to graphic (bloody) images was associated with higher W1 AS and increased PTSS, fear of future terrorism, and functional impairment at W2. W1 AS, W2 PTSS, and fear of future terrorism mediated the association between media and functional impairment. Graphic image exposure is associated with mental-health symptoms linked to impaired functioning.

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Review of Daya Somasundaram, Collective trauma in the Vanni (International Journal of Mental Health Systems 4:22, 2010)

Intervention ◽

10.1097/wtf.0b013e3283454273 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 80-82

Author(s):

Guus van der Veer

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Systems ◽

Collective Trauma ◽

Mental Health Systems

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“We are children like others”: Pathways to mental health and healing for children born of genocidal rape in Rwanda

Transcultural Psychiatry ◽

10.1177/1363461519825683 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 56 (3) ◽

pp. 510-528 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sarilee Kahn ◽

Myriam Denov

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Peer Group ◽

Social Bonds ◽

The Other ◽

Collective Trauma ◽

Psychological Consequences ◽

Cohort Group ◽

Health And Healing ◽

Depth Interviews ◽

Formal Recognition

Despite the well-documented prevalence of rape as a strategy of war, little is known about the specific psychological consequences to children born of conflict-related sexual violence. The results of data analysis of 7 focus groups and 60 in-depth interviews with children born of genocidal rape in Rwanda indicated that they are carrying the trauma of their own stigmatization and marginalization, are burdened with their mothers' trauma, and, we conclude, symbolize unresolved collective trauma for the society. Analysis also reveals that healing for these young adults requires interpersonal and intrapersonal compassion and acceptance, a meaningful connection with a peer group, societal recognition, and empowerment to help contribute to and transform their lives and societies. Each of these pathways to healing—intrapersonal, interpersonal, and social—is contingent upon the other, and none can be considered in isolation. To support this largely invisible population striving to fulfill their potential, opportunities need to be created for self-acceptance and acceptance by mothers, families, and communities; sharing and building emotional and social bonds with their cohort group; formal recognition; official social rituals to validate their experiences and those of the mother–child dyad in the context of culture and community; and for socioeconomic opportunities to enable them to fully participate in building the future of Rwanda.

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