The Need for Collective Healing in Society

In last week's episode of EZ Conversations, I had the pleasure of speaking with Phyllis Leavitt (Listen Here). We discussed the derision and polarization we witness worldwide, especially in the political spectrum. We have seen elections worldwide into what has become an ideological spectacle, with people falling on either side of the camp unwilling to hear each other out or even seek out points of commonality, which has further perpetuated the divide. However, Phyllis offers the antidote through the need for healing. The healing does not stop with the leaders in question but with the citizens at large. The judgement, finger-pointing, name-calling, and need to dominate others are a result of the demise of the individual consciousness, which is reflected in the health of one's spirit. Through continued effort and recognition, we can start taking responsibility for our individual healing.

Phyllis shared something profound during the episode: neither one of us is born good or bad; we tend to learn these things, and we can also unlearn them. Sometimes, people have been separated from their humanity, which leads to making choices that give the impression that they are evil. I gather from this sentiment the power of compassion and how it can bring us all together. This point was further emphasized for me as I started to spend some time reading Nelson Mandela's work. It is incredibly inspiring to see how he continued to rise above the treatment he had received while being imprisoned and forgive the people who oppressed and tormented him. His compassion was unparalleled as he worked with these same individuals for the greater good and the freedom of all Africans. He inspired many and brought along everyone, including his critics and foes.

Mandela understood that true healing would require the collective effort of a nation torn apart by racial segregation. Upon his release from prison after 27 years, Mandela did not seek revenge. Instead, he called for forgiveness, dialogue, and reconciliation—a testament to the power of collective healing. Therefore, this week's edition of EZ Reflections is focused on the collective healing that we all need and how we can learn from Mandela's example.

Why Collective Healing is Necessary

The concept of collective healing isn’t new, but it has gained prominence in light of growing awareness of historical traumas that entire communities have suffered. These traumas include colonialism, slavery, genocides, systemic racism, and, more recently, the long-term impact of pandemics. When the pain of injustice or loss is shared by a large group, addressing it requires a communal response—one that fosters emotional and psychological healing on a societal level.

According to Dr. Judith Herman in her book Trauma and Recovery, collective trauma can profoundly affect the mental health of communities, leading to distrust, cycles of violence, and internalized oppression. Without addressing these shared traumas, societies risk further fragmentation and instability. Herman’s work illustrates how unhealed collective wounds may manifest in future generations through persistent social inequalities, widespread mental health issues, and civil unrest.

The Role of Truth in Healing

As seen in Mandela’s South Africa, truth-telling was a central pillar in the healing process. Research supports the idea that collective acknowledgment of trauma plays a crucial role in societal recovery. A study published in the Journal of Peace Psychology highlights the importance of truth commissions in transitional societies. Researchers found that countries that established truth commissions experienced greater social cohesion and lower levels of violence in the aftermath of civil conflict compared to countries that did not. This underscores the healing power of collective truth-telling.

Truth-telling doesn’t only apply to large-scale political contexts. In societies struggling with systemic racism, police brutality, or gender inequality, the need for truth and acknowledgment of injustices is equally vital. For example, in the United States, movements like Black Lives Matter have demanded collective recognition of systemic racism and historical trauma inflicted on Black communities. Healing cannot begin without an honest confrontation with the truth of what has transpired.

Psychological Benefits of Collective Healing

From a mental health perspective, collective healing benefits not only society but individuals as well. Studies have shown that when people engage in collective healing processes—whether through community gatherings, restorative justice programs, or truth commissions—they experience a reduction in symptoms of trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For instance, research published in the Journal of Traumatic Stress found that survivors of collective trauma who participated in community-driven healing efforts reported increased resilience and emotional well-being compared to those who did not.

Dr. Yael Danieli, an expert in transgenerational trauma, has explored the psychological benefits of collective healing in Holocaust survivors and their descendants. Her research shows that when communities work together to acknowledge trauma and its lasting effects, they foster resilience, empathy, and a shared sense of purpose. These factors contribute to individual and collective mental well-being, empowering societies to survive and thrive after trauma.

Mandela's Lessons for Today

Mandela’s legacy teaches us that collective healing is possible and essential. His approach to fostering unity and reconciliation in post-apartheid South Africa serves as a model for societies around the world grappling with their histories of injustice and trauma.

In today's world, where social divisions seem deepening, Mandela’s wisdom is more relevant than ever. His emphasis on forgiveness, dialogue, and truth-telling provides a pathway for healing that transcends individual differences. Collective healing allows societies to address past harms, foster empathy, and build stronger, more inclusive communities.

References

1. Herman, J. L. (1992). Trauma and recovery: The aftermath of violence—from domestic abuse to political terror. Basic Books.

2. Kaminer, D., Stein, D. J., Mbanga, I., & Zungu-Dirwayi, N. (2001). The Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa: Relation to psychiatric status and forgiveness among survivors of human rights abuses. British Journal of Psychiatry, 178(4), 373-377.

3. Hamber, B., & Wilson, R. (2002). Symbolic closure through memory, reparation, and revenge in post-conflict societies. Journal of Human Rights, 1(1), 35-53.

4. Danieli, Y. (1998). International handbook of multigenerational legacies of trauma. Springer Science & Business Media.

5. van der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. Viking Press.

6. Staub, E., & Pearlman, L. A. (2006). Healing, reconciliation, and forgiveness after genocide and other collective violence. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 7(4), 300-316.
   

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