Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Trauma After Watching When They See Us, By Ava Duvernay
5 Minute Read
La'Shay Crayton MPH, LMSW
“Okay, that’s enough. Turn it off for now,” my husband exclaimed while holding me tight and rubbing my back. I sobbed profusely for the fourth time. I repeated, "I'm fine babe. I'm fine." He gathered me in a hug and said, "No, you are not". After watching two episodes of the four-part series When They See Us (WTSU) by Ms. Ava Duvernay, it was clear to my husband I was shutting down. The Netflix mini-series is based on the true story of five teens from Harlem, New York that become trapped in a nightmare when they’re falsely accused of a brutal attack in Central Park. According to Netflix, since its release on May 31, 2019, more than 23 million accounts worldwide have viewed the mini-series as of mid-June 2019. (TV Guide)
The series took me on a tailspin of emotions. As the story continues to unfold it is almost unreal, shocking and heartbreaking. Anyone watching would surely move through a flood of emotions; especially for those who may have had a police encounter. For me, watching WTSU was like seeing a modern version of Roots. I will never forget popping the VHS classic of Roots in the VCR as a child and witnessing the evils of systematic racism and oppression. While I had seen and continue to see plenty of movies, have read countless books about racism, the breakdown of the families in Roots and in When They See Us haunted me the most.
Personally, watching this series is like watching a horror film as a black person. It was an out of body experience. At some point, I thought of myself as a mother and how my internal organs would burst if something like this happened to my child. At other points, I thought about my five brothers and what an experience like this would have meant for our family while we were growing up. I thought about my husband and how this could have easily been his experience, even growing up in a suburban neighborhood.
Based off how I was reacting to the miniseries, I was particularly interested in learning the sentiments of others. After engaging in more conversations about the series to friends, family, neighbors, clients and even strangers, I learned that the majority of the responses that were gathered were expected while some were rather extreme. Common responses included "I just can't watch it anymore, I feel so overwhelmed" and "I can't watch the series without crying and feeling drained." The more extreme responses included lamentations such as, "I am fearful for my children and I panic every time I think about something like this happening to anyone." I could see the individual having a physiological response as they spoke about watching. The individual’s feeling of fear and panic were alarming. Tears flooded their eyes and they choked up a bit.
The benefits of seeing a licensed mental health counselor
Feeling panic, fear and overwhelming grief is abnormal and are potential signs of secondary trauma / vicarious trauma. Secondary trauma /vicarious trauma occurs when one is exposed to the first-hand experiences of someone who had a traumatic experience. The risk factors that make someone susceptible to secondary trauma are having previously experienced trauma or adverse circumstances.
When They See Us quickly became abuzz on social media. Viewers shared their disbelief of how children were treated. Others noted that while watching they shook uncontrollably to physically being unable to get out of bed for days. Anxiety after trauma are all symptoms of secondary trauma or vicarious trauma. Secondary Trauma or vicarious trauma, sometimes called secondary trauma stress is clinically measured by a 17-item questionnaire that measures the frequency of traumatic stress symptoms over a four week period. (National Child Trauma Stress Network) However, you may still be feeling shaken up following a four week period. Others may have a physiological response when thinking about what they saw and even feeling as though you or someone you love is now in danger of something similar happening.
Watching the miniseries is sure to evoke a flood of emotions; especially for those who may have had a police encounter. These past encounters may have lead to you or someone you needing post traumatic stress disorder or commonly known as ptsd treatment. Or you make want to use cognitive behavioral therapy (cbt, trauma care). Personally, I thought about my five brothers and what an experience like this would have meant for my family while we were growing up. I thought about my husband and how this could have easily been his experience, even growing up in a suburban neighborhood. Without a doubt my family could have benefited from trauma counselling in regards to their experiences as young black males. However conversations about mental health were not something we all digested well as a family.
To help get you through the mini-series employ the following six tips:
Breathe, breathe and breathe. Intentionally focusing on your breathing facilitates the delivery of oxygen to the lungs, which the brain uses to function.
Do not panic. Remember that you are a human being with emotions, including empathy. Feeling sad, angry and defensive are all normal emotion.
Trauma therapy is not only a viable option but is becoming more accessible for the average person. Most national mental health organizations would recommend talking to a licensed mental health counselor is always a good option and helpful in identify life stressors or triggers.
Pray. Several times throughout the documentary, my husband and I prayed for the young men and prayed for the perpetrators. While watching and praying will not change the past. Or all of a sudden intervention by God in a previously created film. However this is based on a true story, therefore, praying for peace for those impacted negatively, justice for those violated, a conviction for perpetrators, can change the trajectory of their lives and many others. Pray for justice as well as healing for all the families and people involved. We prayed that we would be people who stand in the gap for injustice for the most vulnerable.
You do not have to watch the entire series by yourself or in one sitting. Try watching the miniseries with someone, or take frequent breaks. Watching with someone allows you to talk through anger, sadness, joy, confusion or any other emotion you may be feeling. Whereas taking breaks creates time for self-reflection.
Remember that art is created to move/inspire you in certain ways. Ask yourself if there is a way that you can use your gifts, skills, talents, knowledge, and abilities to serve those who may have fallen prey to injustices. After watching, it reaffirmed my commitment to doing pro-bono work as a therapist. Make mental health awareness information your responsibility to learn.
Can a Traumatic Event Cause Depression?
In the end, the five teenagers were exonerated–as men. Their childhoods were stripped away from them. Kory “King” Wise stated in the Ken Burns documentary, "Kory died every day". The story is polarizing and surreal. It is very likely that all of the men will need ptsd trauma therapy also known as trauma psychotherapy. You may have watched and asked the question, “can a traumatic event cause depression?” The answer is yes. While there are multiple factors where an individual’s experience can lead to depression, having experienced trauma is one of them.
This is not just a sad story of less fortunate or disadvantaged boys of color that had some complications, mistakes or birth trauma. It is also not a story of five boys being in the wrong place at the wrong time. We use this expression "wrong place at the wrong time" to refer to black and brown boys having been harshly dealt with by systems. This often-used phrase could not be farther from the truth in this situation. In fact, the evidence illustrated that none of the young boys were near the area where the sexual assault occurred, thus they were not at the wrong place at the wrong time. We use phrases like this out of pity for the victim while covertly brushing over the fact that the criminal justice system is not just flawed but also corrupt. These young men had lives, dreams, goals, and ambitions. Kevin wanted to spend his summer playing the trumpet and Antron was an aspiring baseball player.
These were children. Children who were beloved in their communities, with no previous records or convictions, who were hanging out in a park, which is what children do. This is a story of gross injustice and even more, it is a microcosm of our very world. It is important that we do not brush past the pain associated with watching. It hurts because we know many including the woman assaulted has suffered greatly. This hurts because there were multiple victims including these young boys. This injustice is anxiety-provoking for anyone regardless of ethnicity.
If you are experiencing symptoms such as anxiety, physical ailments, sleep disturbances or similar symptoms that are not normal for you, please reach out to a mental health professional or your primary care physician.
Please remember that the Bible calls us to be peacemakers, not peacekeepers. I pray the story of these young men does not just make you sad, but it moves you pray; to seek justice and be a peacemaker. I pray that you use your time, talent, and money to help shift the lives of others for good. I pray that you look to the Lord to heal all things as you partner with God to be the conduit of healing and peace. I pray that you take care of yourself and that you care for others.
See you soon beloved,
If you are someone you know is struggling with thoughts of harming oneself or anyone else please call 911 immediately.