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To collectively heal from the collective trauma of COVID-19 requires significant cultural and societal change. Research has shown that those societies that have unified after a collective trauma have been far more successful at dealing with this pandemic, while societies that value individualism over a “shared mission” have failed.

The best protection we have against trauma, whether individual or collective trauma, is our social support system. In the first responder and police community there has been a focus on creating “peer support specialists” in dealing with the stresses, but we need more basic changes.

Even though it isn’t over, we have all persisted through this pandemic. It is something to be proud of and each day that we have done so is a day to be celebrated. They are the “small” steps to reach our individual and collective goal. Be mindful of your successes.

Collective trauma is a when a catastrophic event significantly alters the basic fabric of society. 9/11, and how it has impacted how we travel, is a good example. COVID-19 is clearly a collective trauma and the steps to “recover” from this trauma are “simple,” but not necessarily “easy.” Foundational to our recovery are healthy social…

Suicide among first responders and healthcare providers continues to climb. Attitudes and old stigma about reaching out continue to be an important part of the problem of suicide in the ranks. Knowing who we can reach out to before we get emotionally overwhelmed can save our lives.

We leave the womb and enter life; a transition. We start careers and retire: a transition. We grow up and grow old; a transition. People do not like change and transition, even though it is inevitable. We would rather live with the known enemy than seek out the unknown friend. We will, someday, transition from…

Warren Bennis, WWII combat veteran and international expert on leadership observed that all great leaders must pass though “crucible events.” He used the life of Abraham Lincoln as an example. With all that is going on, these times are our collective crucible events and with a resilient attitude we will come out of this better…

The tsunami of problems that are confronting us seems to never end. The continued rise in COVID infections and deaths, the domestic terrorist attacks of our Capital, the social and economic upheaval from the pandemic, the lack of leadership and planning in distributing the vaccine are all real. Resilient people are not “pollyannish,” so let’s…

Taking breaks from necessary of our wellbeing. Small ones during the day are good, but prolonged breaks can give us perspective about our work, our lives and our relationships. They give us time to reflect on what really matters and strategize how to come back stronger.

With holidays upon us I am reminded that science has shown us that having spiritual practices increase our resilience. I offer up an example of something my wife and I do each Friday as a spiritual ritual.