Breaking Generational Silence

From regarded mental health expert Nicole Russell-Wharton, a guide to disrupt family patterns and heal from inherited trauma so you can break the cycle of silence for generations to come What if one conversation was able to redirect a person’s life and create a ripple effect of healing that spans generations? It took a life-threatening experience for mental health expert Nicole Russell-Wharton to realize that after 35 years, she didn't know the body she was living in. After being diagnosed with a rare life-altering genetic condition that others in her family had, Nicole couldn't understand how everyone remained silent. “I’ve suffered through many things in silence over the years,” says Russell-Wharton. “It wasn’t until I started collecting data on generational issues like poverty and trauma that I had this awakening: our healing challenges are rooted in our families’ silence and psychological pathology.” It's the silence that's harming us. “Generational silence” is a term applied to families who have experienced suppressed thoughts or repressed emotions for at least two generations. In this book, Nicole speaks from personal experience about how slavery left an intergenerational impact on her family’s emotional and physical health, and it invites readers to explore the legacy of their own family history. This book will help you explore: • The cycle and impact of issues like substance abuse, religion, racism, education inequality, and parenting • Research, practical tools, and exercises to begin to explore your family history and open up conversations • The root of silence in your own life, so you can break the cycle for generations to come Breaking Generational Silence will help you begin to break the cycle of silence, find the courage to face your family challenges, and become your own best advocate.

From regarded mental health expert Nicole Russell-Wharton, a guide to disrupt unhealthy patterns and heal from inherited trauma so you can finally break the cycle of silence for generations to come. It took a near-death experience for mental health expert Nicole Russell-Wharton to realize that after 35 years, she didn't know the body she was living in. After being diagnosed with a rare genetic condition that others in her family had, Nicole couldn't understand how everyone remained silent. “I’ve suffered through many things in silence over the years,” says Nicole. “It wasn’t until I started collecting data on generational issues like poverty and trauma that I had this awakening: our healing challenges are rooted in our families’ silence and psychological pathology.” It's the silence that's harming us. Generational silence is a term applied to families who have experienced suppressed thoughts or repressed emotions for at least two generations. In this book, Nicole speaks from her Black experience about how slavery left an intergenerational impact on her family. Generational silence addresses the cycle and impact of issues like substance abuse, religion, racism, education inequality, and parenting. Each chapter brings the readers closer to the root of silence in their own lives, so they can finally break the cycle for generations to come. Filled with personal stories, research, and practical tools and exercises, this book will help readers begin to break the cycle of suffering, find the courage to face their own family challenges, and become their own best advocates.