Trauma is an intensely distressing event that has been a significant aspect of human history, encompassing wars, disasters, and instances of abuse and discrimination that affect individuals across all walks of life. Its impact often extends beyond the event itself, leaving lasting emotional and psychological scars that reveal both human resilience and vulnerability (Oliaei, 2023). However, Allwood et al. (2021) stated that individuals and communities marginalized due to their identities face an increased risk of experiencing traumatic stress and socioeconomic difficulties worldwide. This marginalization, along with the heightened vulnerability to various adversities, is linked to disparities in physical health, mental health, and overall well-being (Allwood et al., 2021). Trauma is a deeply personal experience; nonetheless, for marginalized communities, it frequently arises from collective injuries caused by systemic oppression, historical injustices, and the struggles of everyday existence, and the overall sense of belonging (Oliaei, 2023). This blog will discuss three groups that demonstrate extraordinary resilience amidst significant adversity including refugees and asylum seekers, indigenous populations, and LGBTQIA+ youth. Understanding their unique experiences is crucial for promoting a more just and empathetic society.
- Refugees and Asylum Seekers: Displacement and Loss
Escaping persecution, war, or environmental disaster, refugees and asylum seekers often carry indelible trauma across borders and generations (Due et al., 2020).
Common Refugee Trauma Experiences:
- Exposure to violence or torture in home country and transition period
- Family separation and loss before, during, and after leaving their home
- Detention, discrimination, and instability in their host country
Impact of Trauma:
- Increased rates of PTSD, depression, and complex grief
- Language loss and cultural disorientation
- Economic insecurity and mistrust of institutions
Barriers to Healing:
- Language barriers, difficulty finding work to secure basic needs
- Fear of deportation or stigma due to their refugee status
- Lack of culturally responsive mental health services can be more detrimental than help
Resources:
- International Rescue Committee (IRC)
https://www.rescue.org/
Provides emergency aid, mental health services, and resettlement support to refugees and displaced families worldwide.
- Refugee Council USA
A coalition of organizations working to protect the rights of forcibly displaced people and advocate for refugee resettlement.
- Indigenous Peoples: Historical Trauma and Ongoing Oppression
For Indigenous communities, trauma is not just personal. It is collective, historical, and systemic conflict. Historical trauma refers to the collective emotional and psychological injuries that accumulate overtime and across generations, resulting from significant traumatic experiences shared by a group (Mutuyimana & Maercker, 2023).
Common Indigenous Trauma Experiences:
- Forced relocation and land theft
- Boarding/residential schools and cultural genocide
- Systemic racism and exclusion from healthcare and other basic needs
Impact of Trauma:
- Intergenerational trauma passed through families
- Increased rates of substance use disorders, depression, and suicide
- Loss of traditional healing practices
Barriers to Healing:
- Mistrust of medical and governmental institutions
- Underfunded mental health and support programs
- Cultural disconnection
Resources:
- National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition (NABS)
https://boardingschoolhealing.org/
Dedicated to addressing and healing the trauma inflicted on Native American communities through historical and ongoing violence.
- StrongHearts Native Helpline
https://strongheartshelpline.org/
A culturally appropriate, confidential service for Native American and Alaska Native survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
- LGBTQIA+ Youth: Rejection and Violence
Adolescents face many challenges, with anxiety, depression, and suicide being major global health concerns (Wilson & Cariola, 2020). LGBTQIA+ youth often experience greater difficulties than their heterosexual peers due to navigating heteronormative schools and societies during their development (Wilson & Cariola, 2020). LGBTQIA+ youth represent one of the most at-risk populations in society, facing a heightened likelihood of experiencing mental health issues (Wilson & Cariola, 2020). These challenges are often compounded by stigma, discrimination, and a lack of inclusive support systems.
Common LGBTQIA Trauma Experiences:
- Emotional, physical, and sexual abuse within the home, peers, and community
- Homelessness due to family rejection
- Hate crimes and discrimination
Impact of Trauma:
- Higher rates of depression, PTSD, self-harm, and suicide
- Isolation and internalized stigma
- Difficulty accessing affirming healthcare
Barriers to Healing:
- Fear of judgment or discrimination
- Lack of LGBTQIA &-competent therapists
- Societal stigma and erasure
Resources:
- The Trevor Project —
https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
The world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQIA+ youth. - RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) —
https://www.rainn.org/
Offers trauma support services, including for marginalized survivors of sexual violence, with a 24/7 confidential hotline.
Call to Action:
Trauma is not just a personal experience. It is a societal responsibility. When one group is being oppressed, it opens doors for the rest of us to be vulnerable as well. Healing requires us to listen, to believe, and to invest in systems that honor dignity, culture, and identity. Cultural, social, economic, and systemic influences are crucial in determining an individual's resilience, highlighting the importance of examining mental health disparities that continue to impact numerous communities (Allwood et al,; Oliaei, 2023).
Disparities in mental health highlight significant inequalities in the experiences, access to, and recovery from mental health conditions among various populations. These disparities, which stem from systemic injustices and unequal resource distribution, predominantly impact marginalized groups including racial minorities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds who encounter greater trauma and have restricted access to care. Recognizing these elements and promoting resilience is essential for attaining mental health equity.
Educate yourself. Advocate for change. Support organizations doing the work.
Because when we uplift marginalized voices and honor their healing, we all move toward a future where every person can thrive without fear or shame.
References
Allwood, M. A., Ford, J. D., & Levendosky, A. (2021). Introduction to the special issue: Disproportionate trauma, stress, and adversities as a pathway to health disparities among disenfranchised groups globally. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 34(5), 899–904. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.22743
Due, C., Green, E., & Ziersch, A. (2020). Psychological trauma and access to primary healthcare for people from refugee and asylum- seeker backgrounds: A mixed methods systematic review. International Journal of Mental Health Systems, 14, 71. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-020-00404-4
Mutuyimana, C., & Maercker, A. (2023). Clinically relevant historical trauma sequelae: A systematic review. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 30(4), 729–739. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.2836
Oliaei Far, S. (2023). Trauma, resilience and mental health disparities: A literature review. SSRN. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4602769
Wilson, C., Cariola, L.A. LGBTQI+ Youth and Mental Health: A Systematic Review of Qualitative Research. Adolescent Res Rev 5, 187–211 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40894-019-00118-w
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