21/10/2025
In the wake of recent heartbreaking cases involving youth, I’ve found myself sitting with a question many of us as mental health professionals have probably asked:
How do we respond when tragedy strikes, and the public conversation turns raw, emotional, and misinformed?
When we hear words like “psycho” or “mad” being thrown around, our instinct is often to correct. But maybe, in moments like this, our role isn’t to correct – it’s to connect.
In a recent reflection, I explored how we might hold space for these difficult conversations with compassion and clarity. I introduce a metaphor – “Broken Bones” vs. “Broken Moral Compass” – as a way to help the public understand that not all mental disturbances are the same, and that this distinction matters deeply for both stigma and prevention.
I’d love for you to read the full piece and share your thoughts:
How do you hold space for these conversations in your own circles?
Navigating Public Tragedy: Holding Space for Complexity as Mental Health Professionals (https://bit.ly/4qjjz6D)
