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The most important thing communities can do is to build a sense of solidarity prior to a trauma occurring.

We need to set some boundaries regarding when and how much we can help protect our own well-being.

Communities can help individuals engage in healthy coping behavior.

The preemptive design of social support systems isn’t solely the responsibility of policymakers and community leaders. It is also the responsibility of parents, friends, neighbors, and us as individuals. Consider the trauma associated with a natural disaster, an event that impacts many all at once in a focused geographic area. We of course need investment and leadership from policymakers and community organizers in the wake of natural disasters, but perhaps more importantly, we need social support from those closest to us. We also need to be prepared to provide good social support where possible.

What does it look like to provide good post-traumatic social support? To explore this question, I reached out to Dr. Heather Littleton, a Professor at University of Colorado in Colorado Springs and the Director of Research at the Lyda Hill Institute for Human Resilience. I asked Heather what I think are the five most important questions that we as individuals and communities should be asking to be prepared to provide good post-traumatic social support.

JP: Let’s start with why. Why is social support so important after traumatic events?

HL: There are so many benefits we........

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