![]() In addition to historical trauma, LatinX/E individuals also experience personal trauma, such as violence and abuse. These atrocities had a lasting impact on the psyche of these communities, and their descendants still carry the emotional and psychological burden of this trauma. The colonization of Latin America by the Spanish and Portuguese resulted in the displacement of Indigenous peoples, the enslavement of Africans, and the forced labor of Indigenous and African peoples. ![]() The history of intergenerational trauma in the LatinX/E community is rooted in the colonization of the Americas. History of Intergenerational Trauma in the LatinX/E Community In this article, we will explore the effects of intergenerational trauma on the LatinX/E community and how it impacts individuals’ mental health and well-being. ![]() This trauma can stem from historical events, such as colonization, slavery, and genocide, or from personal experiences, such as violence, abuse, and neglect. Intergenerational trauma refers to the transmission of trauma from one generation to another. However, one experience that is common among many LatinX/E individuals is intergenerational trauma. Call or email us at 650.688.3625 or to set up an initial Consultation appointment.The LatinX/E community in the United States is composed of individuals from diverse backgrounds with unique cultural identities. Care Coordinators can arrange a free 30-minute Care Consultation so you can explore options with an expert. Source: Los Angeles Times | How Latinos Are Bonding Over First-Generation Trauma, | Copyright © 2021, Los Angeles TimesĪ screening can help you determine if you or someone you care about should contact a mental health professional. Read the full article for more details on the common experiences of children of immigrants that can contribute to first-generation trauma or stress and what you can do about it. They cite the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration which defines trauma as an event, series of events, or set of circumstances that is experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or life threatening and that has lasting adverse effects.Įxcerpted from “ How Latinos Are Bonding Over First-Generation Trauma” in the Los Angeles Times. “Stress” could be a more appropriate word than “trauma,” some experts said. It’s more about the specific experience of the children who struggle to reconcile the culture clashes between American society and their immigrant households. There isn’t a definition of the term because it hasn’t been widely explored yet, Manuel Zamarripa director and co-founder of the Institute of Chicana/o/x Psychology said. One-on-one therapy sessions gave Gonzalez the space to understand herself, acknowledge her feelings, and develop healthy coping strategies.įor people whose struggles feel similar to Gonzalez’s, The Times asked Southern California trauma therapists and an academic about how to define first-generation trauma, what causes it and how people can heal. According to mental health professionals, these experiences can range from stressors to traumas and can be caused by experiences inside the home or out in society. What connects these struggles is that they affect children of immigrants - typically but not always the first born, and the first to navigate certain aspects of American society. But Gonzalez and others are bonding over a shared experience. There are differing definitions of who is considered “first generation,” often dependent on whether they are born outside the U.S. It’s a colloquial term some Latino Americans use to describe the emotional struggles of children whose parents are immigrants. Gonzalez and others in the Latino community are taking to social media to share their understanding and experience of first-generation trauma. Through nine months of therapy sessions, she learned that her pressures came in part from her position in her family. Gonzalez, a child of immigrant parents, would tell herself to “pull it together because had to make parents’ sacrifices worth it.” She couldn’t cope with these feelings.Īt the time, Gonzalez was studying osteopathic medicine at Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona and sought professional help from one of the school’s therapists. Those feelings were always followed by a crushing wave of guilt. I would call my parents and tell them, ‘I’m so done with this’ and just have one of those breakdowns,” she said. “A lot of impostor syndrome came into play, and I would often feel stressed out and anxious. And on top of that, she felt the pressure of being one of the only Latinas in her medical school setting. Classroom struggles, the challenge of juggling a part-time job and schoolwork - Gonzalez labeled herself a failure. Leslie Gonzalez’s path to becoming a doctor was filled with overwhelming pressure, stress and anxiety.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |