Resilience in Adversity: Overcoming Trauma in the Face of Oppression
Resilience in Adversity: Overcoming Trauma in the Face of Oppression
Trauma affects people from all walks of life, but for marginalized communities, its impact is often intensified by systemic barriers, discrimination, and historical injustices. Individuals with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and Indigenous populations face unique challenges that can make recovery from trauma more complex. Whether it’s the struggle for accessible healthcare, the fear of violence and rejection, or the weight of intergenerational trauma, these groups often encounter obstacles that can prolong suffering and can hinder healing. Recognizing these experiences is crucial in creating inclusive support systems that address their specific needs.
At Outward Inward, LLC, we believe that every survivor deserves compassionate, culturally competent care. This blog explores the ways trauma manifests in these communities, highlighting the resilience they demonstrate and the resources available to help them heal. By shedding light on their experiences, we hope to foster understanding, provide guidance, and empower those who have been affected. If you or someone you love belongs to one of these groups, know that you are not alone—there is hope, support, and a path forward.
In this week’s blog we will focus on the following three populations: individuals with disabilities, LGBTQ+ community members, and Indigenous populations.
· Individuals with Disabilities – People with physical, intellectual, or mental health disabilities often face systemic barriers in education, employment, healthcare, and social inclusion. They may experience discrimination, lack of accessibility, and limited opportunities for economic and personal independence (Giummarra et al., 2024).
· LGBTQ+ Community – Individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or other diverse sexual orientations and gender identities often encounter social stigma, legal inequalities, and discrimination in areas such as healthcare, workplace rights, and personal safety.
· Indigenous Populations – Indigenous communities worldwide, including Native Americans, First Nations, and Aboriginal peoples, often experience historical and ongoing marginalization. They face challenges related to land rights, cultural preservation, access to quality education and healthcare, and the effects of colonialism and systemic inequities (Heris et al., 2022).
Trauma can affect anyone, but marginalized populations often experience it in ways that differ significantly from the general population due to systemic barriers, discrimination, and historical oppression. While a "normal" person who does not face systemic marginalization may experience trauma from events like accidents, personal loss, or natural disasters, they typically have greater access to resources, social support, and legal protections that aid in recovery. In contrast, individuals with disabilities may face additional trauma from medical neglect or inaccessibility, LGBTQ+ individuals may experience rejection or violence based on their identity, and Indigenous populations often carry the weight of intergenerational trauma and displacement. These groups frequently encounter compounding factors that not only make them more vulnerable to trauma but also limit their ability to access care and healing, creating a cycle that is harder to break (Heris et al., 2022). Understanding these differences is essential to developing trauma-informed support that is truly inclusive and effective. Let’s explore some of the ways that these populations can be impacted by traumatic events.
Individuals with Disabilities
· Healthcare Disparities: Individuals with disabilities often struggle to receive timely and adequate medical care after a traumatic event due to accessibility barriers, provider biases, or financial constraints (Loeb et al., 2020).
· Social Isolation: Trauma can exacerbate feelings of isolation, as physical or cognitive limitations may make it harder to seek support or engage in recovery programs (Giummarra et al., 2024).
· Increased Vulnerability to Abuse: People with disabilities are at a higher risk of experiencing abuse, neglect, or exploitation, which can intensify the effects of trauma and make it harder to seek justice (Loeb et al., 2020).
· Natural Disasters: A person with mobility impairments may be left behind or unable to evacuate due to inaccessible emergency shelters or lack of assistance (Loeb et al., 2020).
· Bullying and Harassment: A child with autism may be verbally and physically bullied in school, leading to long-term emotional distress and social withdrawal (Giummarra et al., 2024).
LGBTQ+ Community
· Higher Rates of Violence and Hate Crimes: Many LGBTQ+ individuals experience physical, emotional, and sexual violence based on their identity, leading to long-term psychological trauma and safety concerns (Livingston et al., 2020).
· Rejection and Family Estrangement: Trauma can be compounded by being disowned or rejected by family members, leading to increased risks of homelessness, depression, and suicidal ideation (Livingston et al., 2019).
· Barriers to Mental Health Support: Discrimination and lack of LGBTQ+-affirming care can prevent individuals from accessing trauma-informed mental health services, leading to untreated PTSD or chronic stress (Livingston et al., 2020).
· Conversion Therapy: A person may be subjected to harmful and unscientific “treatment” aimed at changing their sexual orientation or gender identity, resulting in severe mental health consequences (Livingston et al., 2020).
Indigenous Populations
· Historical and Intergenerational Trauma: Many Indigenous communities experience the lasting effects of colonization, forced assimilation, and genocide, which can lead to generational cycles of trauma and distress (Heris et al., 2022).
· Displacement and Loss of Land: Forced removal from ancestral lands or environmental destruction can cause cultural and spiritual trauma, leading to identity loss, economic hardship, and community fragmentation (Sevillano et al., 2022).
· Healthcare and Substance Abuse Disparities: Limited access to healthcare, along with high rates of substance use disorders stemming from historical trauma, can make recovery from traumatic events more difficult (Sevillano et al., 2022).
· Residential School Trauma: Many Indigenous children were historically taken from their families and placed in boarding schools where they suffered physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, leading to generational trauma (Heris et al., 2022).
· Police Brutality and Injustice: Indigenous individuals may experience racial profiling, police violence, or wrongful incarceration, reinforcing systemic oppression and trauma within their communities (Sevillano et al., 2022).
The purpose of this blog was to shed light on the unique ways trauma affects marginalized populations and to provide meaningful support for those impacted. Individuals with disabilities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and Indigenous populations often face additional barriers to healing, whether due to discrimination, lack of access to resources, or systemic inequalities. By understanding these challenges, we can work toward creating more inclusive, trauma-informed care and advocacy. Below, we have compiled a list of organizations, support networks, and resources designed to assist both individuals who identify with these communities and those who work alongside them. Whether you are seeking mental health support, legal advocacy, or community connections, these resources offer guidance, relief, and hope for a path forward.
Individuals with Disabilities
· Disaster Preparedness for People with Disabilities – The Red Cross
Website: https://www.redcross.org
Services: Provides emergency preparedness plans, disaster relief, and recovery support specifically for individuals with disabilities, ensuring accessibility in crisis situations.
· National Center on Disability and Journalism (NCDJ)
Website: https://ncdj.org
Services: Advocates for accurate and respectful representation of people with disabilities in the media, helping to combat stigma and improve public awareness about the impact of trauma on disabled individuals.
· National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
Website: https://www.nami.org
Who It Helps: Individuals with disabilities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and other marginalized groups.
Services: NAMI offers peer support groups, mental health education, advocacy, and resources to help individuals recover from trauma and navigate mental health challenges. They also provide accessibility options for individuals with disabilities and LGBTQ+-affirming support networks.
LGBTQ+ Community
· The Trevor Project
Website: https://www.thetrevorproject.org
Services: Provides crisis intervention, suicide prevention, and mental health support for LGBTQ+ youth, including 24/7 phone, chat, and text support.
· National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE)
Website: https://transequality.org
Services: Offers advocacy, legal resources, and guidance on healthcare, employment rights, and trauma recovery for transgender individuals facing discrimination and violence.
Indigenous Populations
· Indian Health Service (IHS) – Behavioral Health
Website: https://www.ihs.gov/behavioral
Services: Provides mental health services, substance abuse programs, and culturally appropriate trauma care for Indigenous individuals and communities.
· National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center (NIWRC)
Website: https://www.niwrc.org
Services: Supports Indigenous women and families dealing with trauma, violence, and systemic oppression through advocacy, policy reform, and survivor-centered resources.
References
Giummarra, M. J., Reeder, S., Williams, S., Devlin, A., Knol, R., Ponsford, J., & Zatzick, D. (2024). Stepped collaborative care for pain and posttraumatic stress disorder after major trauma: a randomized controlled feasibility trial. Disability and Rehabilitation, 46(16), 3643-3659.
Heris, C. L., Kennedy, M., Graham, S., Bennetts, S. K., Atkinson, C., Mohamed, J., ... & Chamberlain, C.(2022). Key features of a trauma-informed public health emergency approach: A rapid review. Frontiers in public health, 10, 1006513.
Livingston, N. A., Berke, D., Scholl, J., Ruben, M., & Shipherd, J. C. (2020). Addressing diversity in PTSD treatment: Clinical considerations and guidance for the treatment of PTSD in LGBTQ populations. Current treatment options in psychiatry, 7, 53-69.
Livingston, N. A., Berke, D. S., Ruben, M. A., Matza, A. R., & Shipherd, J. C. (2019). Experiences of trauma, discrimination, microaggressions, and minority stress among trauma-exposed LGBT veterans: Unexpected findings and unresolved service gaps. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 11(7), 695–703.
Loeb, T. B., Ebor, M. T., Smith, A. M., Chin, D., Novacek, D. M., Hampton-Anderson, J. N., Norwood-Scott, E., Hamilton, A. B., Brown, A. F., & Wyatt, G. E. (2020). How mental health professionals can address disparities in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Traumatology.
Sevillano, L., Wood, B., & Franklin, C. (2022). Mental health interventions that address historical trauma among indigenous peoples: A systematic review. Social Work Research, 46(2), 127-140.
