This is not okay! Another generation of children that will grow up with trauma.

Coming out of the pandemic, I cannot imagine the collective and individual toll this is taking.

More than ever, let’s practice kindness and be extra gently with people. “Thoughts and prayers” are the standard, response, and by all means send thoughts and prayers if you’e that way inclined, but do something tangible too.

Globalcitizen.org has some suggestions on their website, and Together Rising is a trusted organisation that has real impact.

In your own sphere of influence, you can do things that have a ripple effect for humanity:

👉 Practice patience and kindness both in person and int he online spaces..

👉 Understand that everyone is dealing with their own version of trauma, so be gentle and compassionate.

👉 Speak to your children about the things that are happening in the world, don’t let them be blindsided by second hand information and rumour, that creates fear and anxiety – they’re still dealing with the fact that the world has dramatically changed in the wake of COVID, this is a lot to carry.

👉 Work on your own trauma, empower yourself and be the navigator of your own healing journey. This builds resilience and has a knock on effect on those around you.

👉 I’ve discovered that several towns around Ireland are collecting things like sleeping bags, bottled water etc. that will be transported to organisations that are in a position to get them to where they need to be. Search your community groups to see if something similar is being done where you live.

👉 Get involved in the political arena in your own country and hold your politicians accountable in whatever avenues are available to you, be that advocacy or supporting volunteer organisations..