Trauma
NAMI Knowledge Article: I am experiencing stress related to a mass violence incident/natural disaster/other trauma. What are some ways I can support myself? Remind yourself that stress reactions after mass violence, disaster or other trauma are normal and OK. Feeling distressed by these experiences does not mean you are “weak” or unusual. Talking to others, joining support
groups, and seeking therapy can help you cope.
NAMI Video - Bullying, Bullets and Trauma: Surviving with Pride listen as Quintin Lamarr shares his story of growing up at the confluence of systemic racism and anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination in America. He describes how the traumas of racial injustice and discrimination walk hand in hand with mental illness, and how mental health services and communities like NAMI open up new
worlds of recognition, hope, healing and pride.
NAMI Video - Creating Safe Spaces: My Journey From Trauma & An Eating Disorder To Love for Carly, her eating disorder became an escape from a disrupted childhood and the anxiety and depression that she faced. Determined to not let her mental health challenges define her, Carly has forged a life for herself with her wife focused on helping children and young adults find safe
places to heal and thrive.
ADAA - Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders deal with themes of trauma, stress, and historical stigmas stemming from cultural traditions. American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community incorporates a broad variety of ethnicities, identities and cultures. The Asian American community can include roots from over 20 countries in East and
Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent, while Pacific Islanders (also known as Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders—NHPI), encompasses communities with people of Polynesia (Native Hawaiians), Micronesia, Melanesia and even Samoa (Samoans) decent.
Jed Foundation - Understanding Discrimination and Bias there is a strong link between one’s identity, and mental health and well-being. Experiencing racial discrimination and injustice can have a negative impact on your mental health. It can even trigger depression, anxiety and stress. Learn more about racial trauma, barriers to mental healthcare and tips on how to cope.
Rainbows for all Children is an international support group network that is dedicated to providing in-person peer support programs for children, teens and young adults as they navigate grief and heal from loss whether from death, divorce/separation, deployment, deportation, incarceration or other trauma. Rainbows for all Children partners with communities to offer support through channels of peer support with volunteer adult facilitators.
Sandy Hook Promise offers education programs that teach youth and adults how to identify at risk behaviors and intervene to get help to prevent school violence, shootings, and other harmful acts.
Stanford - Coping with Traumatic Stress shares that the signs and symptoms of a stress reaction may last a few days, a few weeks or a few months and occasionally longer depending on the severity of the traumatic event. With the understanding and the support of loved ones, stress reactions usually pass more quickly. Occasionally, the traumatic event is so painful that professional assistance from a counselor may be necessary. This does not imply weakness. It simply indicates that the particular trauma was just too powerful to manage without help. Here are some common signs and signals of a stress reaction.
Trevor Project - Supporting Black LGBTQ Youth Mental Health Black LGBTQ young people hold multiple marginalized identities. Under the minority stress model, experiences of discrimination, rejection, threats, and violence are compounded, and can lead to negative mental health outcomes. This is a guide to learn more about how to support a Black LGBTQ young person’s
mental health, and how anti-Black violence and anti-LGBTQ legislation impacts Black LGBTQ young people.