Collective Trauma
The term collective trauma refers to the psychological reactions to a traumatic event that affect an entire society. It is the recollection of an awful event that happened to a group of people. When there is such a trauma, the event is represented in the collective memory of the group, and like all forms of memory, it is not only a reproduction of the events but an attempt to make sense of what happened. Collective memory of trauma persists beyond the lives of the direct survivors of the event and is remembered by groups far removed from the particular event (Hirschberger, 2018).
Recognizing the collective trauma that students and families have experienced as a result of the COVID-19 remains important to how schools approach to education and the creation of a trauma sensitive environment.
Historical Trauma is an aspect of trauma not often defined and addressed in educational settings though it impacts the development of a trauma sensitive and equitable environment at Haven Academy. Historical Trauma refers to the cumulative emotional harm of an individual or generation caused by a traumatic experience or event.