IEDP Issue 101                                                                              May 2022

A word from the Chair

Hello everyone,

I hope that you’ve had a good month and are doing ok as we head into June. We look forward to the summer months as the sunshine, warmer temperatures and longer days tend to make us feel good and fill us with optimism. 

Over the last couple of summers and this year in particular it’s felt different: less carefree and more uncertain. At this very moment the word that keeps popping up is Trauma. It’s a heavy word…trauma and it’s everywhere. And with it come other words like pain and numbness as well as fortitude and resilience. 

What comes to your mind when you think of trauma? Of course the agony of those in uvalde after the horrific school shooting? Or the suffering caused by the war in Ukraine? The impact of covid 19 on those who’ve experienced loss? Families of those murdered by police violence? Maybe the horrors experienced by migrants in dinghy’s crossing the ocean to find safety?

There’s a lot out there and a lot of people trying to navigate their daily lives with it ever present, many suffering from the effects of prolonged emotional trauma without the time, or ability to acknowledge it. We’ve all experienced trauma in one way or another and for many this is when resilience and fortitude come into play.

But here’s the thing: people need the support of other people. People need to be seen and they need to be listened to…we all have a role to play here.

Organisations also have a role to play by remembering that they are a microcosm of wider society populated by people who are living with trauma of all kinds: by creating an atmosphere that is supportive, where people can feel safe and seen…a listening culture. 

So, as you ponder world events and make your way through each day, don’t forget to look up and check in with your colleague or neighbour and ask how they’re doing…that could be the kindest experience that they have for the day.