Athenians joined the rest of the nation in following the trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin and while a guilty verdict brought that case to a close, a seemingly constant number of similar situations is taking a psychological toll. Dr. LaKeisha Gantt is a Psychologist in Athens.
"It impacts our emotions, how we think, oftentimes it can impact how we function in our day-to-day life. It can impact us physically."
Gantt says it has an even greater bearing on Black Americans.
"Black people are impacted by racial trauma. And by that I mean we are having to navigate racial bias, discrimination, a variety of different types of trauma, be it in the workplace or day-to-day life."
She says there are options for those needing help in combatting the effects of trauma.
"Understanding that there's no real way to erase trauma. Part of that is accepting something as traumatic and accepting the feelings and thoughts that come with that. If we're in a place where we can get support, whether that be through therapy, smaller social circles, or our neighborhood, to do that."
You can hear more from Dr. LaKeisha Gantt on this week’s edition of Athens News Matters.