Collective grief from school shootings, pandemic is rewiring brains
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Many felt that the Uvalde tragedy on Tuesday, Texas brought out a familiar constellation of emotions.
School shootings in South Texas left 19 children and two teachers deadIt came just 10 days later 10 people were shot and killedIt was found in a Buffalo, New York grocery store. The outbreak also occurred two years after a pandemic which claimed many lives. more than one millionAmerican lives are so far.
A particular type of grief is involved in the loss of a beloved one. Deaths of people you’ve never met can elicit a different — but no less palpable — kind of community-level response.
This is known as collective grief. Experts say that it is rewiring the brain, impairing our ability and making good decisions.
What exactly is collective grief?
Collective grief occurs when a group of people — like a city, country or those belonging to a particular race or ethnicity — share an extreme loss, says Melissa Flint, PsyD,Associate professor of Clinical Psychology at Midwestern University Glendale. He specializes in Thanatology, the study of death and dying.
“When major events like the Texas shooting happen, there is a recognition of enormity and widespread tragedy without a ‘reason’ to help us make sense of it,” Flint tells CNBC Make It.We share our collective grief, because we are able to empathize with one another.
Collective grief goes beyond multiple people feeling the same sadness. According to Dr. Judith A. Sullivan, “It is the sharing of grief with others.” Nora Gross, PhDA visiting assistant professor of sociology from Boston College. “When we all have a sense that we are feeling something similar to other people — even other people we don’t know — in the midst of an extreme tragedy, crisis or change.”
There are many other types of collective grief. “We can also be collectively grieving for the loss of a way of life, a foreclosed future or a set of unrealized ideals — as in the pandemic, climate grief or our collective grief over the scourge of gun violence in our country,” Gross explains.
Is it possible for our brains to cope with collective grief?
Sometimes, events like shootings at schools make it clear that death can be a possibility in your own life.
Flint says that “we internalize the danger, which leads us to grief, anxiety and fear.” We feel overwhelmed by stress hormones and out of control. Our reactions are controlled by our instinctive fight or flight response.
According to her, trauma and collective grief are inextricably linked. According to her, a growing bodyOf research, trauma can effectively “rewire” the brain — at least temporarily — affecting people’s ability to reason, and impairing their day-to-day decision-making abilities.
It is difficult to see how a single tragic event could have such an impact on all the other losses, including those resulting from domestic terrorist attacks, the Covid-19 pandemic and police killings.
Flint states that the collective traumas of recent years have slowly reduced our ability to hope and resilience. Our brains don’t know how to handle these huge losses. This has not yet been shown to have any cumulative effects.”
Management and Coping Strategies: Expert Advice
Processing collective grief starts with being able to recognize what you’re feeling, and understanding that your emotions — from sorrow and anger to a complete lack of control — are all valid, Flint says.
She says, “Whatever emotion you feel, let it be.” Discuss your feelings. Get support. It is OK not to be okay.
Flint offers four other tips in addition to her academic research. Flint also has a private business where she helps people deal with loss and grief.
Look for a release
It is not a good idea to try and suppress your emotions. It is possible to find creativity.
Flint says, “Journal. Make your art. Get lost in your music. Read poetry. Whatever allows you to let go of all the pain.” “Vent your internal ‘pressure cooker’, which has been our collective response to life-shattering, repeated and unnecessary events.
Attend a public funeral
Some prefer to be alone while they grieve. Some people prefer to grieve privately.
Flint states, “Vigils may be strong connections with others who also are hurting deeply on the behalf of these families or to the larger situation occurring in our nation.”
Take control of what you are consuming via media
Without allowing it, you can still be informed news cycle to destroy your mental health. Get away from all the doomscrolling.
Flint also suggests caution when you are raising small children. “Our youngest ears…are very scared and confused right now.”
Do something
It can be difficult to feel empowered when you are in grief. It is possible to take action. Even collective grief could be transformed into collective action and spurring organizations like March for Our LivesRecent years have seen the rise of Black Lives Matter.
Flint states, “Be part of the solutions where you can,” such as donating blood or financial support to organizations aligned with your values.
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