It’s important to recognize that trauma is part of a global crisis and that refugees are especially vulnerable. There are currently over 123.2 million forcibly displaced children, women and men in the world - the highest number ever recorded. That’s 1 for every 67 people alive today. The stress of adjusting to a new culture can exacerbate anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The city of Toronto is a gateway city for refugees seeking asylum into Canada and the church is responding to offer welcome through trauma healing.
“People leave their country all the time but to be forced to move, the moment has you unprepared: physically, mentally, culturally in every way. There are a lot of ruptures: a break with your job, with your identity, with your culture, with your roots. You are not prepared to break with these things. When you fly to another place, you carry all of these fractures in your soul; even your tears are not enough to express all of your sadness in leaving your homeland, the rivers, the mountains; there are not enough tears to express the sadness, honestly. That is why your body tries to express the sadness of your soul, even if you cry a river; your body gets skinny or fat or responds in other ways. You don’t immediately know all of these broken things; you think more about the difficulties. We don’t immediately notice all of those broken things in our soul - they happen later. We realize: Oh, where is my family? Where is the big porch where we used to prepare to have the celebration together? That is when you start to notice that you have been broken.”
- Refugee Reimagined by Mark Glanville and Luke Glanville
The effects of trauma can be profound and long-lasting, preventing us from engaging with God and ourselves. With resources that help integrate biblical and mental health principles, the Trauma Healing Institute empowers the church to address the effects of trauma and loss. In our approach to trauma healing, we combine proven mental health practices with biblical wisdom. As a community-based approach, our method makes a significant difference in that it invites people to participate in a healing and resilience-building process together with others and with God.
In a group setting, individuals meet together in a comfortable environment in which they can help one another heal. Group lessons use art, stories, activities, and discussion questions to help participants gain a deeper understanding of themselves, God, and their fellow participants.
Within the safe space of Healing Groups, people find their voice, tell their story, and unlock doors that have been closed to healing. They read the Bible to hear what God has to say about suffering. They learn about the journey of healing, and they begin to forgive those who have hurt them. As a result of participating in a healing group, individuals discover they are not alone in their struggles.
“I came into the healing circle during one of the most difficult seasons of my life. I am a lawyer and health research ethicist, and before coming to Canada as a refugee claimant, I had a stable, fulfilling life and career in my home country. I was surrounded by family, served actively in my church, and had a strong emotional support system. However, I was suddenly forced to leave my country without my husband, and this abrupt separation, combined with the loss of everything familiar, deeply affected my emotional, mental, and social well-being. I was searching for comfort, clarity, and community; something to help me understand the overwhelming feelings of grief, fear, and isolation I was experiencing. That is what led me to the trauma healing circle.
Through the trauma healing training, I began to understand the nature and impact of trauma not just as a concept, but as a real force that had shaped my thoughts, emotions, and even my physical well-being. I learned how to name my pain and recognize the ways I had been carrying invisible wounds. Most importantly, I learned that I am not alone. I found a new Christian community that embraced me, and I was reminded of God’s presence and faithfulness, even in my most vulnerable moments. I started to see healing not as forgetting the past, but as finding meaning in it and allowing God to work through it.
This journey has changed me in profound ways. I am learning to give myself grace and to embrace each day with hope. I am more aware of my emotions and better equipped to process them in healthy ways. Spiritually, I feel more anchored. I’ve learned to trust God more deeply, not only for my future but also for the future of my three daughters. The trauma healing circle helped me move from a place of survival to a path of restoration. I still have challenges, but I now face them with renewed strength, faith, and a supportive community around me.”
- Testimonial from refugee joining healing group)
“When a stranger sojourns with you in your land... you shall love him as yourself.” - Leviticus 19:33-34
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)