Living as a minority in the United States is a stressful experience. Racism, homophobia, sexism, and discrimination in multiple forms are often highlighted in local and national news outlets. Stories of assaults, workplace bias, and policy inequities have a detrimental impact on the psyche of minority individuals who often place themselves in the same shoes of the people who experience those events and atrocities firsthand.

Religious trauma can stem from spiritual abuse, can impact individuals differently, and can have a devastating effect on someone’s self esteem, sense of self-worth and identity. Religion can impact the way that we see the world, and it can be easy to deny the existence of problems in the face of continual optimism and faith that a higher power will fix any challenge encountered, but this toxic positivity can lead to lasting harm.

A toxic work environment can increase levels of stress and anxiety in addition to putting one at risk to experience health-related consequences