This month’s topic: Ancestral Work

Support group for breaking the cycles of toxicity and adversity of intergenerational trauma to heal past, current and future generations.

Our goal is to support individuals and families struggling with intergenerational trauma by sharing resources, validating feelings, and strengthening the healing process as a community!

This is a reminder that we are not alone and that we are worthy of love, respect, safety, and a joyful life beyond the adversity we have faced.

Hosted by NWR's executive director, Tatijana Gjergji; ethnicity: Albanian and Serbian, nationality: first generation American.

Open to all people, all ages!

Guest speakers welcomed to present: Tatijana at 518-599-5454 or email noteworthyreosurcesalbany@gmail.com to inquire.

What is Intergeneration Trauma?

Intergenerational trauma (or transgenerational trauma)—is a term that is used to describe the impact of a traumatic experience, not only on one generation, but on subsequent generations after the event. Intergenerational trauma is a term that is often not talked about, resulting in a lasting impact on later generations.

The intergenerational transmission of trauma can come about due to unawareness of the impact, but also from the stigma that may be related to getting treatment for mental health concerns. Stigmas related to transgenerational trauma many times come from the myths that are associated with seeking out mental health support. The main way to help break the stigma related to intergenerational trauma is through knowledge and awareness that focus on strategies to support families during these challenging situations.

In addition to physical sensations of stress and illnesses, other symptoms of intergenerational trauma, according to the APA, include:

• shame

• a heightened sense of vulnerability and helplessness

• low self-esteem

• dissociation

• hyper-vigilance

• intrusive thoughts

• difficulty with relationships and attachment to others

• difficulty in regulating aggression

• extreme reactivity to stress

Who Is Affected by Intergenerational Trauma?

Any family can be impacted by intergenerational trauma. Traumatic events that may lead to intergenerational trauma include parental incarceration, divorce, alcohol use disorder, domestic violence, child abuse (e.g. sexual, physical, or emotional), or natural disasters.

Anyone can experience intergenerational trauma, and some may argue that everyone experiences this phenomenon to some degree. However, people from marginalized groups — such as (BIPOC) and those in lower socioeconomic classes for generations — may have more pronounced experiences with intergenerational trauma.

Those who are descendants of people who have experienced violence from living in war zones and other hardships — such as World War II, effects of the Cold War, the Vietnam War, or conflicts in the Middle East — may also be more likely to experience intergenerational trauma.When discussing intergenerational trauma, one must also think about historical events that may have a lasting impact on generations to come, such as the Holocaust, refugee camps and slavery, all of which have had enduring effects on generations of people worldwide.

(Content Reference/Resource: https://psychcentral.com/lib/how-intergenerational-trauma-impacts-families#family-impact; https://www.choosingtherapy.com/intergenerational-trauma/?fbclid=IwAR0Iucipg 01yE2WXQcLgvhFRZZPA6CH70cZla4yN81CpmsVKsqjWOFcoyY)