10/02/2025
There are many reasons why I make the uncomfortable habit of coming out of my comfort zone to express myself and support mental health. For one, the negative stigma associated with it, the lack of true understanding of what mental health encompasses, and the lasting effects for not only those affected but also the families of those loved ones. What most people don't realize is that everyone at some point in their lives has or will experience trauma.
We hear the word 'trauma' all the time, but most don't understand the true meaning behind the word.
Trauma is a severe emotional response to a stressful event that overwhelms a person's ability to process it emotionally. It is a LASTING emotional and psychological response resulting from experiencing a distressing or life-threatening event, which can lead to feelings of harm, fear, or helplessness. It becomes your new 'high score', meaning when you experience fear or helplessness (or whatever the emotion) again, whether it's a minor situation or major-, your nervous system will automatically respond with that same (highest level of emotion) you've experienced.
Have you ever had, or seen someone else have, an overreaction to a situation? An overreaction is a prime example of the subconscious bringing up unresolved trauma from the past, when something in the present moment triggers those memories.
Growing up, I experienced this firsthand with my Grandfather, who was taken off the street by the N***s at 15 years old and forced into a work camp, later to be rescued by American Soldiers. At the end of his life, his dementia sent him back to that horrible time. For the last few days, he lost his ability to speak English (He could only speak his native language, Polish, which he never taught us because he wanted us to be American, because of the hell he went through being Polish- He was forced to wear a "P" patch on his shirt so all who looked at him knew what he was and of course the trauma from the work camp).
I remember the doctors having to restrain him, as he screamed and fought, yelling in a language no one could understand. He carried that pain till the end. And watching him carry that pain was painful for his daughters, for all of the family, because it hurts to see someone you love hurt, and you cannot do anything to make it better.
I have so many wonderful memories of my Grandfather, how we danced together in the living room as he played the harmonica, all the stories he would tell, the adventures in the woods, and how much he loved us. I miss him dearly. I spread awareness in his memory. They made him feel that being Polish was a bad thing, but I am PROUD of my Polish heritage, and I will continue to stand up to support those who are struggling.
I advocate for mental health and spread awareness not only for those of us who suffer, like myself, but also for the families of those suffering, so we can all better understand and support one another.
I hope this shined a little light into your life, and hopefully the next time you see someone overreact or show strong emotions, that you approach not with judgement, but compassion, because you never know the hell someone might be living through, and though it's not right to hurt people, it's imporant to remember that HURT people, HURT people, so let's help each other heal cause.... healed people also heal people.
Thank you so much for reading! I hope you have a wonderful day and Happy Healing!
With Love,
The Sunshine Effect
