(HS Thai 150376 2025) War, Displacement, and the Long Shadow of Trauma: The 50th Anniversary of the Fall of Saigon

Course overview

On April 30, 2025, we stand at the crossroads of memory and history, marking the 50th anniversary of the Fall of Saigon---the end of the Vietnam War and the beginning of mass displacement for millions. For mental health clinicians, this milestone is more than a historical event; it is a crucial opportunity to deepen their understanding of the lasting psychological effects of war, authoritarian trauma, forced migration, and intergenerational trauma upon those who directly experience them and their descendants and communities at large. Mental health professionals frequently encounter these wounds in their practice---whether working with refugees, immigrants, veterans, or individuals navigating inherited intergenerational trauma - and often struggle to fully grasp the layered impact of war-related trauma, particularly as it manifests across generations and cultures. This session will bridge that gap by providing both personal testimony and research-based insights, illustrating how forced migration and survival responses shape mental health outcomes. Participants will gain practical approaches for addressing themes of loss, identity rupture, and resilience in therapy, ensuring culturally responsive and trauma-sensitive care. The echoes of war are not confined to history books; they persist in therapy rooms, community struggles, and global refugee crises today. As conflicts continue to displace populations worldwide, mental health professionals must be equipped to respond with competence and compassion. By understanding the enduring scars of war and displacement, clinicians can play a pivotal role in breaking cycles of trauma and fostering resilience in those they serve. This session is not just about remembering history---it is about learning how to heal its wounds - transforming survival into resilience, grief into meaning, and trauma into healing.