The current humanitarian crisis in Gaza has led to unimaginable consequences, including mass casualties, displacement, severe shortages of food and water, and the destruction of hospitals, schools, and homes. The impact of this crisis is felt not only in Gaza, but also across the world in the United States, where U.S. students are experiencing the emotional and psychological effects of the violence they continue to witness. Many students in the United States are connected to this conflict by ethnic identity, or religious ties. This connection has made witnessing this devastating situation a deeply personal one, affecting their academic journeys and mental health. This blog explores the reality of how students in the U.S. are affected by the crisis in Gaza through personal testimonies.
Crises like the one in Gaza not only affect the individuals living in the region, but also impact communities around the world with direct ties to the region through cultural or familial bonds. Many students in the United States have to witness the suffering of other Muslims and Arabs, including some of their own relatives in Palestine. This can lead to what is known as secondary trauma. According to The National Child Traumatic Stress Network, they state “Secondary traumatic stress is the emotional duress that results when an individual hears about the first-hand trauma experiences of another” (Peterson, 2018). In addition to experiencing secondary trauma, students who continuously support the Palestinian cause have the potential to face advocacy burnout. The stress of consistently speaking out and fighting for a serious cause can eventually lead to emotional, mental, and physical fatigue.
After interviewing several U.S. students with Arab backgrounds, a consistent theme emerged: feelings of helplessness and emotional fatigue. One student stated, “It’s pretty difficult to try and live a normal life knowing that back home there are people getting killed every few minutes. They are living in fear. I almost feel guilty doing day-to-day activities like eating and going to sleep. It’s been hard to focus on school and other responsibilities”. This quote from a college student in California highlights the emotional toll of witnessing the devastating events unfolding in Gaza. Another college student from New York shared the following: “When the crisis first started in 2023, I remember going to class and not being able to focus on my professor teaching because all I could replay in my head was the heartbreaking videos uploaded on social media by the journalists in Gaza”. This demonstrates how the emotional weight of the crisis in Gaza can impact a student’s capacity to focus and properly engage with their education.
Despite the overwhelming emotions and difficulties these students were facing, both students shared how they felt a lack of support. They noted that their universities either remained silent or released brief statements with no further action to support their students that have been emotionally impacted by the ongoing events. There are little to no mental health support services for those feeling secondary trauma or advocacy burnout. One student stated, “It feels like we are screaming for help, but no one sees us. It’s as if we are invisible.” In some cases, students have faced repercussions, such as censorship and threats from administration for their activism efforts. Not only are universities failing to provide support services to students, they are suppressing their voices.
As the interview concluded, I gave the students an opportunity to share what they believe could lead to meaningful change. Both students emphasized the role of university faculty and administration. They expressed a need for mental health services to address the emotional and physical toll they have been experiencing, as well as a safe space to discuss their feelings. Above all, they want emotional support and understanding from faculty and professors. For readers hoping to contribute to change, begin by checking on your fellow peers. Educate yourself about the ongoing events and their impact. Encourage those around you, including your institutions, to step up and show genuine support.
The ongoing events in Gaza are not just headlines, they represent deep pain felt by students here in the United States. As the world confronts the injustices happening abroad, we must also acknowledge the impacts happening beyond the affected region. Students in the U.S. are not only grieving, they are demanding changes.
References:
https://www.nctsn.org/trauma-informed-care/secondary-traumatic-stress
Picture source:
https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/04/26/us-universities-should-respect-right-protest
