The Jewish Community Mental Health Initiative (JCMHI) is proud to announce the upcoming launch of a new study examining ...

The Jewish Community Mental Health Initiative (JCMHI) is proud to announce the upcoming launch of a new study examining the experiences and impact of traumatic invalidation within the Jewish community in the United States since October 7th, 2023. Traumatic Invalidation is “extreme or repetitive invalidation of individuals’ significant private experiences, characteristics identified as important aspects of themselves, or reactions to themselves or the world” (Linehan 2015, page 304). Traumatic invalidation can take many forms, including ignoring the fact that someone is in distress, chronic misunderstanding, criticizing, and blaming, or even denying the person’s experience entirely. Traumatic invalidation can occur on both an individual level and within a specific community such as in racial, ethnic, sexual, and gender minorities. Given the rise in antisemitism in the United States since 10/7, our forthcoming study aims to explore whether Jewish Americans have been experiencing traumatic invalidation, to understand any impact of traumatic invalidation on mental health and well-being, and to provide recommendations for culturally sensitive assessment, treatment, and validation within the Jewish community. The Jewish Community Mental Health Initiative (JCMHI) is dedicated to advancing mental health awareness, resources, and support in the Jewish community. By providing research-driven insights and clinician-led support groups, JCMHI is committed to fostering connection, healing, and resilience.#jcmhi