Trauma Workshop Reflections: The many faces of trauma 

                                                                            Crime scene tape- Do not enter

We can all say that we've been impacted by the news before. Stories bring us into a traumatic sphere to deliver integrity in all varieties of circumstances. From war to crime, to natural disasters, it's impossible to spare the realistic toll these events have on victims, communities, and beyond. But what about the journalists who capture real-time events? They are just as human as the rest of us and often face the debilitating effects of trauma as they cover these crucial stories. We know that emotional trauma is normal and it is in some capacity a human survival reaction. So how do we address it?

The risk for trauma is increased in a multitude of ways. Journalists can and do face repeated exposure to traumatic circumstances, often while stationed far from home to cover these stories as they unfold. Sometimes these events are horrific in nature and sometimes due to human causes. Not only do journalists observe trauma and those affected by it, but they can take on a rather prominent observer role in which they experience grief, helplessness, shame, and so on. They work alongside other trauma responders and have just as much need for emotional support. 

While some forms of trauma can produce mild distress, the opposite end of the spectrum involves post-traumatic stress disorders that can leave people emotionally crippled. The Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma exposes the reality of trauma and the impact it has on journalists as well as victims. Oftentimes, journalists are not just reporting traumatic stories but involving themselves heavily with the victims and survivors to provide accurate stories. Sometimes these victims may not only be hurt, or afraid, but upset and angry. The media is often at the forefront of many disasters and tragedies, which puts a strain on the victims and influences how people in communities and beyond will view the event. 

So while journalists are susceptible to trauma, they are also heavily responsible for delivering accurate, respectful, connected work. This in itself creates an area for concern. While journalists often need to keep a professional wall, especially with traumatic beats, oftentimes the need to connect with victims and survivors negates this barrier. This leaves journalists even more vulnerable to the effects of trauma, whether they are experiencing it firsthand or not. 

In my own personal life, almost daily, I experience a strong response to the news. The war in Ukraine, the destruction of our environment and our planet, and the mindlessness of large corporations as they continue to exploit profit at the expense of seemingly everyone and everything. Even in my own community, the news is peppered with tones of distress- Our communities are contaminated by forever chemicals, pollution, and crime. There is no shortage of these things unfolding and it is directly at our fingertips more than ever. You can read the news scrolling through your phone, or social media, see it on a billboard or hear it on the radio. There is no end to media coverage on the multitude of technological platforms available to us. If these stories elicit such a human response from me, day to day, I cannot imagine the impact on those who step out of their own comfort zone and emotional stability to report on them. 

Overall, the trauma workshop gave me great insight into life as a journalist and highlighted ways that in my own life, I can consciously and compassionately approach traumatic events and those affected by them. We are all human and we all hold the capacity to reach out to others and meet them at that human, emotional level. Our actions influence others and this radiates out into the community and beyond. We have the power to shape not only our personal responses to traumatic events but the depth of our understanding and conveyance to others. We can create stronger individuals, communities, and institutions when we recognize that human emotion and tragedy alike are both part of the fabric we are woven from and they require outreach, compassion, and deep communication/education to handle the ripple effect that trauma and grief have on us all in and outside of journalism.