Publications | thesunmental.com

One of the modern approaches in psychotherapy is the use of “narrative empathy” or character-based identification.
In this method, the client is encouraged to emotionally connect with the main character of a story or book. Through this process, they reflect on their own emotions and experiences by exploring the character’s wounds, challenges, and path to healing.

In this context, the book “Cold Memories” offers a powerful foundation for such therapeutic work.
It tells a story of unspoken pain, internal silence, and the gradual search for meaning — a journey many readers may deeply relate to.

📖 To learn more about the book, please follow the link below:

(25) About novel Cold memories | LinkedIn

Social Trauma: Collective Psychological Wounds and Their Consequences in Dictatorial Societies

Introduction

Social trauma, as a collective psychological phenomenon, occurs when a society or large group of people is exposed to a traumatic event or a series of events that threaten their sense of security and social identity. This type of collective trauma can stem from war, dictatorship, political repression, natural disasters, or public health crises. In societies under dictatorial rule, social trauma manifests in unique ways, which this article will examine.

Definition of Social Trauma

Social trauma is defined as the psychological reaction of a group or society to a traumatic event that threatens their security and social identity. It often arises from war, dictatorship, political repression, natural disasters, or crises. In societies under dictatorial control, social trauma exhibits distinct characteristics (PMC).

Characteristics of Social Trauma in Dictatorial Societies

In dictatorial societies, social trauma is associated with:

Fear and distrust: Political repression and human rights violations generate fear and mutual distrust among people.
Silence and denial: Censorship and suppression of information often lead to silence and denial regarding traumatic events.
Intergenerational transmission: Social trauma can pass from one generation to the next, producing long-term psychological and behavioral effects (Crime & Justice Journal).

Consequences of Social Trauma

Social trauma has wide-ranging effects at both individual and collective levels:

Individual psychological disorders: People may experience anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and sleep disturbances.
Weakening of social capital: Reduced social trust undermines cooperation and collective engagement.
Unhealthy social relationships: Social trauma may foster unhealthy relationships, discrimination, and social violence.
Intergenerational impact: Social trauma can persist across generations, affecting behavior and psychological health over time (SAGE Journals).

Strategies to Address Social Trauma

Effective strategies to mitigate social trauma include:

Awareness and education: Raising public awareness and teaching coping skills can reduce the negative effects of trauma.
Psychological support: Counseling and psychotherapy services help individuals heal and improve their mental well-being.
Strengthening social capital: Creating safe spaces for dialogue and social interaction fosters trust and cooperation.
Documentation and historical reconstruction: Recording traumatic events and rebuilding historical memory can support healing and prevent recurrence (IPA World).

Conclusion

Social trauma, particularly in societies under dictatorial rule, is a complex and multidimensional phenomenon that deeply affects both individual psychology and social structures. By identifying its characteristics, consequences, and interventions, societies can take effective steps to reduce its impact and support the processes of social healing and reconstruction.

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The handmade crafts, paintings, and creative works produced by our clients are sold to support charitable causes.
This initiative not only empowers participants by celebrating their creativity and self-expression, but also connects art, healing, and social contribution in a meaningful way.

People have empathy because it helps us connect with others and understand their feelings. Empathy allows us to imagine what someone else is going through, which builds trust, cooperation, and strong social bonds. It's an important part of being human and living in a society.

There are a few key reasons why we have empathy:

Biological reasons – Our brains are wired for empathy. Certain parts of the brain, like the mirror neuron system, help us feel what others feel.

Evolution – Empathy helped our ancestors survive. Caring for others made groups stronger and safer.

Emotional connection – Empathy helps us build close relationships with friends, family, and others.

Moral understanding – It helps us know what’s right or wrong based on how our actions affect others.

In order to be able to say “no,” we first need to strengthen our inner power.
But how can we increase this inner strength?

One way is by setting healthy boundaries between our feelings and expressing them to others in a respectful manner. When we share our emotions respectfully, we not only protect ourselves but also create empathy and mutual understanding.

On the other hand, if we suppress our feelings, the result will be confusion, anxiety, and even emotional exhaustion.

In this training/video, we will learn a technique to strengthen our inner power so that we can say “no” politely while also establishing healthy boundaries in our relationships.

The handmade crafts, paintings, and creative works produced by our clients are sold to support charitable causes.This initiative not only empowers participants by celebrating their creativity and self-expression, but also connects art, healing, and social contribution in a meaningful way.