#InThisTogether

According to Mental Health America of Ohio, we are currently living through a collective trauma, encompassing not only our community but the world. Collective trauma can be defined as a "traumatic psychological effect shared by a group of people of any size, up to, and including, an entire society." According to Amy Morgan, a counselor who specializes in working with first law enforcement and responders, feeling trapped and unable to understand what is happening, are two "elements that make an experience traumatic." In one way or another we have all been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and we won't know that true impact until it's over. For educators, staff and administrators, "it can be detrimental to our mental health to expect ourselves to function at our normal capacity with the underlying pandemic anxiety constantly present." Remember, that in dealing with a new way of interacting with our students, take time to focus on our own physical and psychological safety and stability. ~ Ms. A