Mitigating the Mental Health Impact of Political Violence

Elena Cherepanov

August 19, 2025

Political violence is a global crisis with systemic effects on entire societies. Drawing on the author's experience in global mental health and refugee support, Dr. Cherepanov explores how political violence impacts the individual as well as society. 

Political violence is defined here as the use of force, threats, or intimidation to achieve political objectives. Unlike random acts of crime, political violence is deliberate and calculated, aimed at creating fear, enforcing obedience, and consolidating power (Sousa, 2013). It encompasses a broad spectrum of actions--from ethnic, racial, sectarian, or religious violence and armed conflict to assassinations, acts of terrorism, and genocide. Importantly, choosing not to intervene in the face of unfolding atrocities or depriving political groups of access to resources and healthcare can also be considered acts of political violence. Confronting political violence, voicing concerns about its detrimental impact, and implementing tools for its mediation is vital to safeguarding a future free of fear and abuse.

Political Violence as a Tool of Control

While perpetrators may include individuals with personal grievances, mental instability, or extremist beliefs, political violence is often sustained or enabled by those in positions of power. Government officials may incite or amplify violence through inflammatory rhetoric, excuse violent acts, or fail to hold perpetrators accountable. In some cases, hate speech from political leaders and media directly incites widespread violence. 

What makes political violence particularly insidious is its targeted nature. As a form of identity-based violence, political violence disproportionately affects historically marginalized communities (e.g., racial/ethnic, religious, or political minorities; LGBTQIA+ individuals). Such violence leaves a lasting--often generational--legacy of fear, distrust, and cultural trauma. It undermines public and mental health and well-being, and impedes progress toward transformative social change (Cherepanov, 2020). Acts of political violence are frequently followed by victim-blaming and conspiracy theories designed to justify the violence or deflect public scrutiny. 

Psychological Impacts

At the Individual Level

Survivors of political violence often experience lasting psychological trauma. Symptoms may include flashbacks, intrusive memories, nightmares, emotional numbness, hypervigilance, sleep disturbances, and fatigue. Feelings of guilt, helplessness, and constant fear for the safety of loved ones are also common.

What helps:

• Trauma-informed psychological support and access to healthcare resources
• Connection with supportive people
• Cultivating awareness of personal strengths and values
• Reestablishing a sense of physical and emotional safety

At the Community Level

Social fear and mistrust can tear at the fabric of communities. Some individuals reduce their social visibility and withdraw from social life, while others hold back their mutual support because they are unsure of how safe it is to ask for or accept help. The result is a silencing of voices and the fragmentation of social bonds. 

What helps:

• Strengthening community solidarity and mutual aid
• Creating safe spaces for dialogue and connection
• Raising awareness about the shared impact of trauma
• Recognizing the difficulty of this task (see further reading below on the 'Aggregation Phenomenon' from Cherepanov, 2020)

At the Societal Level

Political violence destabilizes entire societies. It deepens polarization, erodes trust in institutions, increases the likelihood of retaliatory attacks, and undermines a nation's ability to respond to emergencies. If not addressed, its long-term impact includes increased community violence, radicalization, crime, substance use, suicide, and a decline in public health and mental well-being. 

In an environment of increasing political pressure and threats, healthcare and human services providers can face complex and painful moral dilemmas. They may feel compelled to limit their public expression of political opinions in order to preserve their ability to provide essential services to underserved patients. This silence, however, can come at a personal and ethical cost, as providers navigate the tension between speaking out against injustice and fulfilling their responsibilities to support vulnerable populations. Balancing these competing demands becomes especially challenging in morally complex environments, where their roles extend beyond technical expertise to include advocacy, mentorship, and fostering resilience amid social and political turmoil (Cherepanov, 2020).

The Impact of Aggregating Traumatic Experiences

In the aftermath of collective trauma, a process may unfold in which survivors of mass trauma recognize their common experiences, allowing them to connect with, empathize with, and support one another. This author dubs this phenomenon 'aggregation of traumatic experiences'. 

Aggregation helps transform individual pain into a shared understanding, fostering solidarity and collective healing. When people come together around common wounds, they can begin to rebuild trust, regain a sense of belonging, and restore emotional safety. 

However, this process doesn't always occur, nor does it happen immediately after the event. In the wake of political violence, for example, widespread social fear and distrust often take root. Survivors may become isolated, hesitant to speak out or unsure about whom they can trust. These barriers can prevent the formation of supportive networks, potentially hindering the recovery process and prolonging the impact of trauma (Cherepanov, 2023).

Recognizing and addressing collective barriers towards hearing is essential. Creating spaces--both literal and psychological--where survivors feel safe to connect can make the difference between silent suffering and collective healing.

Conclusion: A Shared Responsibility 

Political violence is not limited to one group or ideology. It affects all of us, reshaping individual lives and altering the course of nations. It is both a personal tragedy and a societal crisis. 

Research from this author shows that resilience in the face of political violence is rooted in an individual's ability to stay grounded in their core values, find pride in their identity and actions, and draw strength from the support of family and community. These protective factors are critical in helping people maintain their dignity and integrity during turbulent times. 

To confront political violence effectively, we must recognize it not just as a series of isolated events, but as a reflection of larger structural failures in society. Combating political violence requires both personal courage and collective action--a willingness to speak up, stand together, and hold those in power accountable. Only then can we begin to heal and build a future grounded in justice, safety, and resilience. 

Discussion questions

1. Define political violence and what makes it different from other forms of violence?
2. Identify psychological and social implications of political violence at individual, community, and societal levels.
3. Describe trauma-informed strategies for mitigating the effects of political violence.
4. Apply the concept of aggregation of trauma experience to support collective healing, promote social resilience, and foster safe spaces for survivors to connect and rebuild trust.

About the Author

References

Sousa CA. Political violence, collective functioning and health: a review of the literature. Med Confl Surviv. 2013 Jul-Sep;29(3):169-97. doi: 10.1080/13623699.2013.813109. PMID: 24133929; PMCID: PMC3801099

Cherepanov E (2023) Refugees from countries with complex political contexts: politically informed approach to health and mental health services. Front. Public Health 11:1323259. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1323259

Cherepanov, E. (2020). Understanding the Transgenerational Legacy of Totalitarian Regimes: Paradoxes of Cultural Learning. NY: Routledge. dot: 10.4324/9780429030338