When The Silence Feels Heavy: Trauma and Growth After Crisis

Psychotherapist and Facilitator // ELIAS OMER

ELIAS OMER is a Psychotherapist from Ethiopia who has spent much of his career supporting people and communities impacted by conflict. Here he shares some of his well-earned insights about people’s wellbeing after a conflict comes to an end. 

When a ceasefire is announced in a long-standing conflict-affected area, many individuals, families and communities feel a sigh of relief, because it is not only the end of bombings and the lifting of curfews, but also the reopening of markets and streets, signalling a hopeful turning point. 

However, for humanitarian workers who have been carrying on supporting their communities in the midst of a crisis, the burdens of conflict in this transitional period can bring a different kind of challenge. The “silence” may appear peaceful on the surface, but in reality, it can feel heavier than the noise that preceded it.

The Paradox of Ceasefire

Research in disaster and conflict studies indicates that after the immediate threat has passed, individuals often experience emotional, psychological, and physical symptoms that emerge in what is known as “delayed-onset” distress. For instance, survivors of large-scale disasters may report significant symptoms months after the event, once their nervous system and social support systems have moved out of crisis mode.

In humanitarian situations, even after the violence has stopped, individuals continue to bear the impact of trauma, and their minds often remain in survival mode. It is necessary to recognise that when a pause in conflict occurs, for some, it can lead to increased vigilance, grief, moral injury, and exhaustion while they continue on a quest for meaning and purpose.

Hidden Emotional Aftermath

After the immediate danger has passed, frontline workers often go through a variety of emotional responses. As the survival phase concludes, feelings of grief may arise as the effects of losses become more evident. Some individuals may feel long-held anger about their experiences bubble to the surface, alongside the struggle with the moral injury from situations that could not be prevented. A sense of mistrust toward the institutions or systems that failed them may also emerge. It’s essential to recognise that these reactions are not signs of failure; instead, they represent the nervous system catching up and the mind trying to make sense of the experiences.

Studies show that sustained distress and grief do not always follow a linear path; people might feel okay or stay busy for a time, but then the pain eventually “catches up”.

The aftermath of the conflict brings helping professionals to start to process the lasting effects of their personal experiences and the trauma they have directly witnessed or indirectly carried. They are not only survivors but also helpers, often deeply embedded in the community and shouldering dual burdens. 

Research on national humanitarian staff indicates that they face an increased risk of secondary or vicarious trauma and moral injury, particularly when their ability to provide aid is limited or when they must make difficult compromises. The complexity of being both a responder and a member of the affected community adds extra layers of identity stress, responsibility, and emotional labour.

Post-traumatic Growth: Seeing Possibility In the Midst of Pain

At this early stage of recovery or even pre-recovery stage, we need to begin by acknowledging the pain while recognising the deeply held hope. Posttraumatic growth (PTG) provides an important framework for those who oscillate between these two opposing states. PTG manifests in five areas of living:

1. A greater appreciation for life 
2. Strengthened relationships 
3. New possibilities 
4. Increased personal strength 
5. Spiritual or existential change

PTG does not wait for the crisis to end – it can start to happen while in the midst of a crisis. Here are some of the ways PTG is starting to manifest among professionals who support individuals and communities in crisis. 

• An increased sense of empathy for colleagues and communities, shaped by shared experiences of vulnerability.  
• Awareness of new opportunities in both professional and personal lives, such as advocating for systemic change or taking on peer-support roles.  
• These professionals start to make statements such as, “I didn’t realise I could handle this level of work under such pressure and still thrive.”  
• Reprioritisation of what truly matters: an emphasis on connections and relationships over tasks and outputs.  

Posttraumatic growth is not just a personal journey; it is a shared human capacity that can strengthen families, individuals, and the communities they serve. When supported and the conditions are suitable, the courage and built-in resilience are already present in helping professionals, which allows them to grow stronger and continue to find meaning and purpose in their work. 

Thrive Worldwide can come alongside you and your team in these situations. We can provide support through counselling, reflective conversations, self-led Vicarious Trauma Awareness training, and trauma-informed leadership training, ultimately allowing growth to take root. This contributes to a compassionate workplace. Investing in the wellbeing of those who serve also means helping the helpers on their healing and growth journey. 

Explore more of our psychosocial support here.