The Weight of War: How Generations Have Carried Collective Trauma

History is not just a series of dates and battles; it is imprinted on the minds and bodies of those who live through it. For those of us born in the decades following World War II, the scars of the past have been woven into the fabric of our existence, often in ways we may not fully realise. The sheer magnitude of loss, destruction, and disruption from the early 20th century onward created a world where emotional repression was not just common, it was necessary for survival. Between the end of World War I on November 11, 1918, and the beginning of World War II on September 1, 1939, the world had less than 21 years to recover from what was then called "the war to end all wars." But no true healing took place. Instead, the wounds of World War I festered, economically, politically, and emotionally, only to be torn open again by an even more devastating conflict. For Example; World War I (1914-1918) Over 20 million lives lost, with millions more wounded or permanently disabled. The 1918 Influenza Pandemic. As if war wasn’t enough, the world was immediately struck by a deadly flu pandemic that killed an estimated 50 million people, more than the war itself. The Great Depression (1929-late 1930s). Economic collapse led to mass unemployment, hunger, and despair, particularly in the UK, the US, and Europe. World War II (1939-1945). A war of total destruction, genocide, and nuclear devastation, leaving over 70 million dead. For our grandparents, there was no real chance to grieve. How could there be? With survival at stake, emotions had to be buried. Any sign of psychological struggle was often dismissed as weakness, especially among men who had returned from war. For our parents, growing up in the shadow of World War II meant being raised by people who had survived not one but multiple collective traumas. They had seen entire cities bombed to rubble, lost loved ones, and endured rationing, displacement, and the anxiety of war. Yet, they rarely spoke about their pain. This emotional suppression was not unique to individual families, it became a societal norm. "Keep calm and carry on" was more than a slogan; it was an emotional survival strategy. Our parents inherited this stoicism, learning not to dwell on hardship but to push forward, often at the expense of their own emotional well-being. Even after the physical destruction ended, the UK and much of the world never truly had a "peace day." Since 1945, Britain has been involved in conflicts across the globe, whether in direct wars like Korea (1950-1953) and the Falklands (1982), or prolonged military operations in Northern Ireland, Iraq, and Afghanistan. The weight of conflict has never lifted, and neither has the psychological toll. As children of the post-war world, we grew up in an environment where emotional expression was often discouraged. Our parents and grandparents had learned to suppress their feelings to endure the horrors of war, and they passed that mindset down to us. This manifests in several ways, for example; The “Stiff Upper Lip” mentality, a cultural expectation to endure hardship without complaint. Generational Detachment, difficulty expressing emotions, leading to strained parent-child relationships. Unspoken Grief, a reluctance to discuss past traumas, leaving younger generations to piece together family histories on their own. Chronic Anxiety and Depression, unprocessed trauma often leads to mental health struggles that are never properly addressed. The irony is that while emotional repression may have been necessary for survival in the short term, it has long-term consequences. When pain is buried instead of processed, it doesn’t disappear, it is passed down. The concept of intergenerational trauma, where trauma is inherited by subsequent generations, is now well-documented. Studies on Holocaust survivors and their descendants have shown that trauma can be transmitted through behaviours, parenting styles, and even biological changes in stress response. For those of us born in the decades after World War II, this means we may carry the psychological burdens of wars we never fought. We grew up with parents who were emotionally distant, who struggled to express love or vulnerability, because they had been taught that survival required emotional detachment. Even today, echoes of this trauma linger. Consider the anxiety and hyper-vigilance many people feel about global conflicts, even if they’ve never personally experienced war. The persistent sense of insecurity that pervades our societies, leading to political and social instability. The widespread struggles with mental health that can be traced back to generations of unspoken pain. Acknowledging societal trauma is the first step toward healing. While previous generations had no choice but to suppress their emotions, we live in an era where mental health is finally being recognised as essential. But breaking free from the patterns of the past requires active effort. In order to process trauma and heal we need to understand that much of what we struggle with today, whether anxiety, detachment, or difficulty expressing emotions, has roots in historical trauma. Unlike our ancestors, we have the freedom to talk about our pain, seek therapy, and cultivate emotional intelligence. Learning about the personal and collective stories of our families and societies can provide clarity and a sense of closure. Societies must acknowledge past traumas through education, memorials, and public discourse, rather than sweeping them under the rug. Governments and institutions must recognise mental health as a public health priority, especially for veterans, and all those affected by war.History has shown that true peace is not just the absence of war, it is the presence of healing. Since the end of World War II, the world has been in a constant state of conflict, whether through military engagement, political turmoil, or economic instability. While we may not be able to change the past, we have the power to shape the future. By acknowledging the weight of collective trauma and making space for healing, we can break the cycle of repression and create a world where survival does not come at the cost of emotional well-being. The greatest lesson we can learn from our grandparents and parents is not just how to endure hardship,but how to heal from it. Because only when we truly face our past can we build a future that is not defined by its wounds.

 Tony Wright CEO Forward Assist