The past six years have been marked by multiple active global conflicts, many of which have evolved into expansive crises that significantly worsen mental health outcomes. In fact, Michael Liebrenz, a forensic psychiatrist at the University of Bern states, “The current state of crises we are witnessing right now are at the most active point […]
As conflict and unrest continue in Iran, many members of the Iranian community, who reside outside the country are struggling with feelings of guilt and helplessness. Research suggests psychological strain is common even as they are physically safe; fear for the safety of their loved ones can be debilitating. A recent study on Iranian diaspora […]
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Besser van der Kolk is a popular book about the effects of psychological trauma on the body. With it being published in more than 30 languages, the book has touched thousands of readers around the world, shedding light on how […]
In Woman in the Lap of Death (1920/1921), Käthe Kollwitz gives form to a truth many trauma survivors know too well: when life shatters, even the comfort of surrender can feel like a temptation. In this haunting lithograph, a weary woman collapses into the lap of a skeletal figure, death itself, not in terror, but […]
In leading a life of service and violence to defend their countries, many army veterans are plagued by mental health disorders that have lasting effects on their lives post deployment. One of the most common diagnoses for veterans is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which arises as a result of living through or witnessing traumatic events. […]
In a previous Art & Culture post, we presented an illustration from RefugiArte, an initiative of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) aimed at raising awareness about the experiences of immigrants and refugees forced to leave their homes, communities, countries and lives behind due to poverty, violence, political turmoil, and others. In this post, we share […]
Zarlasht Halaimzai knows well the traumatic effects that war can create on people's physical and mental health. She was just a child when she experienced violence and war in her home country, Afghanistan, and when her family decided to escape in search of a safer place. In the Ted Talk called What it’s like to […]
RefugiArte is an initiative of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) aimed at raising awareness about the experiences of immigrants and refugees forced to leave their homes, communities, countries and lives behind due to poverty, violence, political turmoil, and others. More than 50 Latin American artists have participated since the beginning of the project in 2015. […]
"One Day" by legendary reggae singer Matisyahu is an optimistic and upbeat song that speaks about hope for a future without war. A future where children will be able to play in peace, and where violence will not be part of our daily lives. It is an inspiring song about resilience and having hope in humankind that one day […]
Though appointed by Napoleon Bonaparte to grandly depict the exploits of the French army, artist Antoine-Jean Gros instead depicted the destruction wrought by Napoleon’s army – death, trauma, mental illness – in a none-too-flattering light. Gros’s unflinching depiction of suffering in the oil painting Napoléon on the Battlefield of Eylau departs significantly from the more reserved […]