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Mental Health

Shannon Purser Asks Fans to Describe Their Trauma in 5 Words

Juliette V.
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Editor's Note

If you’ve experienced sexual abuse or assault, the following post could be potentially triggering. You can contact The National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.

Shannon Purser, the actress who played Barb on “Stranger Things,” invited her followers to describe their trauma in five words. Some followers replied with how their trauma made them feel, and others with a brief description of what happened. If you want to participate, can reply to her tweet linked below.

There are so many ways trauma can manifest — from hospitalization for mental health struggles, sexual assault, emotional abuse and miscarriages, just to name a few. Since tweeting on Wednesday, Purser’s post has received over 2,000 likes and 800 responses. Below you can read what some of her followers said.

Purser was surprised by the number of people who responded in earnest and thanked her fans for doing so. “A big shout out to everyone replying so kindly and thoughtfully to others. The world needs more listening ears,” she tweeted.

Talking about the impact of trauma is vital for healing, so thank you, Shannon Purser, for opening up the conversation about trauma in an important and impactful way. If you are a survivor of trauma but don’t want to talk about it on social media, that’s more than OK. When you are ready to share your story, please reach out to a counselor or trusted friend to talk to.

If you are struggling with trauma, you’re not alone. Below are some stories you may relate to in your healing journey.

Resources

If you or a loved one is affected by sexual abuse or assault and need help, call the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 to be connected with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area.

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Juliette V.
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Hi, I'm Juliette. I'm the former Mental Health Editor at The Mighty. I joined The Mighty because I believe storytelling is a powerful tool in raising awareness about mental health and trauma. I'm inspired every day by the brave vulnerability of our community. #MightyTogether

juliette-v
Originally published: August 3, 2018
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