Collective trauma in a time of uncertainty 

CRJ’s Advisory Panel Member Amanda Coleman examines the effects of global events on public perception, misinformation, and organisational response in the latest article for Under Pressure.


Image by nattysiri | Freepik

I recently attended a webinar about collective trauma and the implications it has on crisis response and aftercare. As I sat watching the news this past week, the points that were raised came to the front of my mind. 

The reality of the events today and of many situations such as the Covid-19 pandemic is that we see collective trauma. It is basically a blow to the basic tissues of social life and what binds communities.

Such events are very public and have an effect on the community as well as the community values that are in place. They are also times when misinformation and disinformation are widespread. If you are feeling the pressure of this week, then some of this may be the way it is affecting our views and values.

To move forward, it is vital that we recognise the effect this is having on the communities we may be trying to communicate with. And, if there is a crisis or critical incident that emerges, how people view it may be altered because of the developments we have seen. 

Events may appear as though they are happening a world away, but they matter to many people who are concerned about relatives and friends caught in the region when the war began or based in the affected countries. 

It was also notable that the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre has highlighted the potential increased threat of cyber attacks. We need to be ready for this. There may also be further threats to supply chains and networks.

So, what can we do now? For starters, it’s important to stay informed and be aware of the latest developments. Then, we have to ensure that public-facing content is acceptable and not insensitive. Moreover, we have to co-ordinate with HR, leadership, IT, and other departments to understand any risks or issues. Lastly, we have to prepare statements and plans for any effects on travel, delays, safety or other relevant issues for staff as well as monitor social media channels for sentiment shifts or emerging risks.

This is a time when we all need to be clear we are developing trauma-informed communication and are helping, not hindering, at this difficult time.

Read the original piece here.