€Œwe Need to Create Systems Where We All Can Feel Safe and Feel Freeâ€�: Young Adults’ Recommendations for Addressing Racial Trauma

Background and Purpose: Racial trauma is the cumulative impact of race-based traumatic experiences, including real and perceived experiences of racial discrimination, at the individual, institutional, and systemic levels that can significantly affect mental and physical health, as well as social and economic factors of an individual’s wellbeing (Cenat, 2022; Esaki et al., 2022). A national survey from 2016 revealed 50% to 70% of Black, Hispanic, and Asian adults had experienced racial discrimination (Lee et al., 2019). Despite this prevalence, gaps in the understanding of how to measure and address the impacts of racism and racial trauma by therapists and trauma-informed care providers remain (Wathen et al, 2021; Williams et al., 2024). The purpose of this study was to document the lived experiences of young adults of color who have been affected by racial trauma and compile strategies to improve quality of trauma-informed care.

Methods: Photovoice is a visual ethnography method used in participatory action research, where community members use photography and critical reflexive analysis to drive action on issues affecting them and their communities. We facilitated a virtual photovoice project with six young adults of color, ages 23-30, from across the U.S. Purposive sampling was used to identify participants with first and secondhand knowledge of social welfare, justice, and behavioral health systems. The project consisted of four sessions ranging from 60-90 minutes, which were held over Zoom. Session one involved open dialogue about racial trauma and the project question: “How does racial trauma impact the lives of young people?”. Participants were then given two weeks to reflect on session one and take photos reflecting how racial trauma impacts their lives. Sessions two and three were dedicated to photo analysis, which was guided by the SHOWeD method (Wang & Burris, 1997). During the final session, the group reviewed key themes and worked collectively to develop a message and select photos in response to the project question and developed recommendations for how to improve care and enact change.

Results: Experiences of erasure, assimilation, and carrying the weight of generational trauma were key themes that emerged during photo analysis and discussion. Participants expressed feeling as if racial trauma was “normal” and that they “can’t really get away from it.” Participants also discussed the presence of over-policing and gentrification in their neighborhoods, and how this contributes to racial trauma. Participants’ recommendations for addressing racial trauma and its impacts included increasing education and accessibility of information about racial trauma amongst the public, fostering intergenerational relationships and cultural pride in their communities, and advocating for better systems to reduce harm.

Conclusions and Implications: In alignment with growing literature, this project’s findings encourage a trauma-informed care approach that understands root causes of trauma and integrates an examination of historical and social contextual factors (Esaki et al., 2022). Additionally, trauma-informed care and mental health providers should consider ways they can contribute to local advocacy and systems-level change efforts.