Healing Begins with Understanding: This World Trauma Day, Take a Step Toward Recovery
October 17th marks World Trauma Day, a time dedicated to raising awareness about trauma, its effects, and the importance of early intervention and healing. Trauma affects millions of people around the globe, often leaving deep emotional and psychological scars. Whether caused by accidents, abuse, loss, or other life-altering events, trauma can be overwhelming—but recovery is possible, and no one has to walk the path to healing alone.
Trauma by the Numbers - How Common Is It?
Trauma is far more widespread than many realize. According to the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, 70% of adults in the U.S. have experienced some form of traumatic event at least once in their lives. That’s approximately 223 million people. Trauma doesn't discriminate—it can happen to anyone, regardless of age, gender, or background. What's crucial is how we understand and address it.
If you or someone you know is struggling with trauma, you're not alone. Understanding its effects is the first step toward healing.
Coping with Trauma: Strategies to Support Healing
Living with trauma can feel overwhelming, but there are coping strategies that can help manage its effects:
Acknowledge your emotions – It’s important to recognize that feeling hurt, scared, or confused after a traumatic event is natural. Give yourself permission to feel whatever emotions come up and understand that they are a normal response to abnormal circumstances.
Build a support system – Reach out to people you trust, whether they are friends, family members, or support groups. Talking about your experiences in a safe space can reduce feelings of isolation and bring emotional relief.
Focus on self-care – Prioritize activities that make you feel safe and relaxed, whether that’s taking a walk in nature, reading, or listening to music. Setting aside time for yourself can help you regain a sense of control.
Journaling – Writing down your thoughts and emotions can help process feelings related to trauma. Journaling helps to externalize and organize your thoughts, making them feel less overwhelming.
Professional support – Trauma often requires the guidance of a trained mental health professional. Seeking therapy can provide the structure and tools needed to move forward. Many trauma survivors find Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy particularly helpful.
Mindfulness & Meditation: Finding Calm After Trauma
Mindfulness can be a powerful tool for those coping with trauma. Trauma can cause your mind to constantly jump between the past and future, leading to stress and anxiety. Mindfulness encourages grounding yourself in the present moment, offering relief from this mental ping-pong effect.
Here’s a simple mindfulness exercise you can try:
Find a quiet space – Sit comfortably and close your eyes.
Focus on your breathing – Take slow, deep breaths, paying attention to the feeling of air entering and leaving your body.
Body scan – Slowly move your attention through different parts of your body, starting from your toes and working your way up. Notice any areas of tension and try to release them.
Gentle awareness – As thoughts or emotions arise, observe them without judgment. Simply acknowledge their presence and let them pass like clouds drifting through the sky.
Return to breath – Whenever your mind wanders, gently bring your focus back to your breath.
You can also try meditation apps like Calm or Headspace, which offer guided practices specifically for trauma survivors.
Seeking Professional Help
If you feel overwhelmed or stuck, therapy can be an essential step toward healing. Finding the right therapist can make all the difference. Open Path Collective is a fantastic option for affordable therapy, offering sessions at reduced rates between $30–$60. They connect individuals with licensed therapists both in-person and online, making mental health care more accessible to everyone.
Resources for Support
If you're in crisis or need immediate support, please don't hesitate to reach out to one of these resources:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
Crisis Text Line: Text HELLO to 741741 (24/7 support)
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
Recommended Tools for Healing
To complement professional support, here are some excellent resources and workbooks to guide your healing process:
"The Body Keeps the Score" by Bessel van der Kolk This book explores how trauma impacts both the mind and body and offers insights on how to heal through methods like mindfulness and movement-based therapy.
"Healing Trauma: A Pioneering Program for Restoring the Wisdom of Your Body" by Peter A. Levine This workbook is grounded in somatic experiencing, a body-focused approach to healing trauma.
This World Trauma Day, let’s remember that trauma doesn’t define who you are, and healing is always possible. With the right support, coping strategies, and resources, you can begin the journey toward recovery and reclaim your sense of well-being.
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