We want to talk about generational trauma.

And how we all have ancestral histories worth processing.             [Healing is a collective effort.]( Not everyone is sentimental. But some of us do keep the things those who’ve come before us have touched or loved: a painting, a pocket watch, a favorite book. What none of us has asked to be passed down, however, is generations of pain. But our ancestors are no different than us. We are not any more immune to experiencing hardship than they were. So if your family came to the US due to slavery, if your lineage lived within a refugee camp, if your relatives were forced into residential schools, if your grandparents survived sexual assault, or if your parents experienced household violence, their coping skills may have made its way into your DNA. This is [generational trauma]( also referred to as multigenerational or intergenerational trauma. [Over 50 percent of adults will experience at least one trauma in their lives. - U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs] [More than two thirds of children reported at least one traumatic event by age 16. - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration] [About 9 million individuals across the U.S. are living with PTSD. - National Alliance on Mental Illness] [In a survey conducted across 24 countries, 30.5 percent of participants reported experiencing four or more traumatic events. - BU School of Public Health] Sources: 1. [U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs]( | 2. [Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration]( 3.[National Alliance on Mental Illness]( | 4. [BU School of Public Health]( The truth about trauma. Many of us learned about traumatic events during history classes in school. What most of us did not do was learn that when one undergoes trauma, our DNA activates certain genes that are deployed to help us survive the trauma. This is where [fight, flight, freeze, or fawn responses]( stem from. And this constant state of preparing for trauma changes our DNA. Survival tactics become encoded and passed down through multiple generations, even in the absence of the specific trauma our relatives endured. This is why some of us may have symptoms similar to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, like hyper vigilance, anxiety, and difficulty regulating our moods. But these feelings won’t involve flashbacks or intrusive thoughts because we are experiencing trauma symptoms from a traumatic event that did not happen directly to us. For those who live feeling as though the other shoe is always about to drop, the consistency of remaining in “survival mode” can even manifest into physical health issues. And because trauma is not chosen, many of us have a trauma history that is not technically ours but has been passed down and requires [trauma-informed therapy techniques]( to process and work through. But the starting line, we believe, is acknowledging what we are feeling and sharing it in a way that feels safe. This can be the beginning of a journey toward healing, not only for the individual but for future generations as well. [Healing is a collective effort.]( Not everyone is sentimental. But some of us do keep the things those who’ve come before us have touched or loved: a painting, a pocket watch, a favorite book. What none of us has asked to be passed down, however, is generations of pain. But our ancestors are no different than us. We are not any more immune to experiencing hardship than they were. So if your family came to the US due to slavery, if your lineage lived within a refugee camp, if your relatives were forced into residential schools, if your grandparents survived sexual assault, or if your parents experienced household violence, their coping skills may have made its way into your DNA. This is [generational trauma]( also referred to as multigenerational or intergenerational trauma. [Over 50 percent of adults will experience at least one trauma in their lives. - U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs] [More than two thirds of children reported at least one traumatic event by age 16. - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration] [About 9 million individuals across the U.S. are living with PTSD. - National Alliance on Mental Illness] [In a survey conducted across 24 countries, 30.5 percent of participants reported experiencing four or more traumatic events. - BU School of Public Health] Sources: 1. [U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs]( 2. [Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration]( 3.[National Alliance on Mental Illness]( 4. [BU School of Public Health]( The truth about trauma. Many of us learned about traumatic events during history classes in school. What most of us did not do was learn that when one undergoes trauma, our DNA activates certain genes that are deployed to help us survive the trauma. This is where fight, flight, freeze, or fawn responses stem from. And this constant state of preparing for trauma changes our DNA. Survival tactics become encoded and passed down through multiple generations, even in the absence of the specific trauma our relatives endured. This is why some of us may have symptoms similar to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, like hypervigilance, anxiety, and difficulty regulating our moods. But these feelings won’t involve flashbacks or intrusive thoughts because we are experiencing trauma symptoms from a traumatic event that did not happen directly to us. For those who live feeling as though the other shoe is always about to drop, the consistency of remaining in “survival mode” can even manifest into physical health issues. And because trauma is not chosen, many of us have a trauma history that is not technically ours but has been passed down and requires trauma-informed therapy techniques to process and work through. But the starting line, we believe, is acknowledging what we are feeling and sharing it in a way that feels safe. This can be the beginning of a journey toward healing, not only for the individual but for future generations as well. You are not alone. This can be a heavy reality to unpack, so we hope these stories find you like a friend and support you in the truth that you deserve support and care. [Decolonizing Therapy and Healing with Therapist Gabes Torres - TWLOHA Podcast episode 411]( [Breaking the Cycle of Generational Trauma as a Multiracial Woman - a blog by Hannah Villanueva]( [Trauma Is Not a One-Size-Fits-All - a blog by Jennica Leather]( You are not alone. This can be a heavy reality to unpack, so we hope these stories find you like a friend and support you in the truth that you deserve support and care. [Decolonizing Therapy and Healing with Therapist Gabes Torres - TWLOHA Podcast episode 411](   [Mindfulness, The Present Moment, and Non-Judgment with Tianna Soto - TWLOHA Podcast episode 505](   [Breaking the Cycle of Generational Trauma as a Multiracial Woman - a blog by Hannah Villanueva]( [Trauma Is Not a One-Size-Fits-All - a blog by Jennica Leather]( [Your Family Does Not Define You - a blog by Anna Rogers]( [READ MORE]( Your story is important. If you have a story of generational trauma you’d be willing to share, we invite you to submit a 400-900 word piece (no PDFs) to the TWLOHA Blog. One of the ways we deliver hope and help across communities is by sharing many of your very own lived experiences. If you choose to do so, you can send your piece for consideration to our editorial team [here.](mailto:blog@twloha.com) (Please note this is a volunteer-based opportunity.) [Caring for you mental health looks like knowing what's available. ]( We are not meant to tackle any of the heavy or celebrate all of the light moments life brings alone. Healing is a collective effort and we want you to be able to connect to the resources you need to process, explore, and heal the realities you or those who’ve come before you have faced. You are welcome here, in every state of your healing journey. We promise you that. We encourage you to find out what resources are available near you. Through our [FIND HELP Tool]( you can use the personal filters to find treatment options that specifically address things like PTSD. Working with someone who specializes in trauma therapy can be really helpful if you’re navigating personal or generational trauma. [EXPLORE THE RESOURCES]( [READ MORE]( Your story is important. If you have a story of generational trauma you’d be willing to share, we invite you to submit a 400-900 word piece (no PDFs) to the TWLOHA Blog. One of the ways we deliver hope and help across communities is by sharing many of your very own lived experiences. If you choose to do so, you can send your piece for consideration to our editorial team [here.](mailto:blog@twloha.com)(Please note this is a volunteer-based opportunity.) [There are alternative ways to cope.]( We are not meant to tackle any of the heavy or celebrate all of the light moments life brings alone. Healing is a collective effort and we want you to be able to connect to the resources you need to process, explore, and heal the realities you or those who’ve come before you have faced. You are welcome here, in every state of your healing journey. We promise you that. We encourage you to find out what resources are available near you. Through our FIND HELP Tool, you can use the personal filters to find treatment options that specifically address things like PTSD. Working with someone who specializes in trauma therapy can be really helpful if you’re navigating personal or generational trauma. [EXPLORE THE RESOURCES]( [facebook]( [twitter]( [YouTube]( [instagram]( [TikTok](tiktok.com/@twloha) ☰✕ [GET INVOLVED]( [BLOG]( [DONATE]( [STORE]( [FIND HELP]( PO Box 2203, Melbourne, FL 32902, USA [View This Email Online]( • [Edit Your Email Preferences]( [facebook]( [twitter]( [YouTube]( [instagram]( [TikTok](tiktok.com/@twloha) ☰✕ [GET INVOLVED]( [BLOG]( [DONATE]( [STORE]( [FIND HELP]( PO Box 2203, Melbourne, FL 32902, USA [View This Email Online]( • [Edit Your Email Preferences](