Global Event: Heal from the Moral Injury of the 2016 Election

BETHESDA, Md. - Nov. 11, 2016 - PRLog -- Washington, DC: Survivors of violence, Helga Luest (http://www.traumainformed.org/helga/) of Bethesda, Maryland and elite athlete Jean Paul (JP) Bédard (http://www.runjprun.com/) of Toronto, Canada, have joined forces to organize the Day of Healing and Resilience to take place on Sunday, November 13, 2016.

People around the world suffered a sort of moral injury from the 2016 election in the United States. Moral injury occurs when a person's moral conscience suffers from sadness and shame that stems from a perceived moral transgression – a trauma that can be felt as profound loss, hopelessness, and isolation.

Moral injury occurred during the election process when comments and evidence of hate, marginalization, disregard for rights, and even criminal behavior surfaced. The moral injury was and is felt by survivors of violence, marginalized persons, and anyone who fought hard to achieve rights and recognition in the U.S. and elsewhere. The facts didn't matter – power won. Like a re-victimization in ways, but more precisely described as a moral injury stemming from the election. It matters not your gender, faith, sexual orientation, or nationality – the moral injury has been felt by people around the world.

In an effort to heal our moral injury and build resilience for the changes and challenges that lie ahead, people around the world will spend one hour with at least one person to run, walk, or just talk on the Day of Healing and Resilience. Connect, validate, understand, and come together – and in that space, recognize the strength that exists when we support each other. Discuss where there is strength and hope – where progress can be made and the rights we protect together.

When: Sunday, November 13, 2016 – any one hour

Where: In Your Community and on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1148505311852379/) and Twitter #DayofHealing16

The Day of Healing and Resilience (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1148505311852379/) is an informal event that will take place globally on Sunday, November 13, 2016. Participants are encouraged to post images and their stories of coming together and healing their moral injuries on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1148505311852379/). #DayOfHealing16

Interviews with Helga Luest and Jean-Paul Bédard available upon request.