Connection and Belonging in Higher Education: Addressing Unresolved Trauma as a Core Component of Student Isolation

May 1

At HopeNation Campus, we continue to observe a growing number of students with PTSD who report extremely low levels of connection and belonging within the college environment. Recent data indicates that 78% of our current students diagnosed with PTSD experience feelings of intense isolation. Trauma-related symptoms—such as hypervigilance, emotional dysregulation, and social withdrawal—directly impair students’ ability to form healthy social relationships. These symptoms create psychological and physiological barriers that hinder their capacity to develop a sense of belonging, which is crucial for mental health, academic success, and resilience. Addressing these trauma-related barriers is essential for fostering a campus environment where students can genuinely connect and thrive.

Unresolved trauma often remains hidden beneath the surface, yet its impact on students' mental health and social engagement is profound. Trauma stored in the body can lead to ongoing physiological responses—hypervigilance, anxiety, and emotional dysregulation—that hinder meaningful connection with others. When the body's stress response is chronically activated due to past trauma, social interactions become overwhelming, fostering feelings of alienation and loneliness.

Hypervigilance and Social Isolation in Campus Settings

Hypervigilance—a heightened state of alertness—is a common response to unresolved trauma. On college campuses, this can manifest as students constantly scanning their environment for threats, feeling emotionally exhausted, and avoiding social situations altogether. This cycle of stress and avoidance deepens feelings of isolation, making it even more difficult for students to establish a sense of belonging, a critical factor for their overall well-being and academic achievement.

Recently, we engaged our students to better understand what connection and belonging truly mean to them. Their feedback was eye-opening: "It isn’t that we need more social events; it’s that we need smaller, intimate gatherings where we can meet people who have the same barriers to socializing or belonging that we do." This highlights that meaningful connection often requires safe, supportive spaces tailored to shared experiences and challenges, rather than large, generic social events.

Building Connection and Belonging: An Essential Response

To effectively address these barriers, a trauma-informed approach is vital. Creating spaces where students feel safe, seen, and supported can help reduce physiological barriers rooted in unresolved trauma. This includes implementing peer support programs, expanding accessible mental health services, and fostering campus policies that promote inclusivity and compassion.

Conclusion: Toward a Trauma-Focused Campus Culture

Higher education institutions play a vital role in dismantling the barriers created by unresolved trauma. By understanding that trauma manifests both physically and psychologically, campus leaders can develop strategies that foster genuine connection and belonging. When students feel supported and connected, they are more likely to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally, contributing to healthier, more resilient campus communities.

References

Strayhorn, T. L. (2023, June 5). Belonging, learning, and the brain. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/belonging-matters/202306/belonging-learning-and-the-brain

CCMH (2024). The State of Campus Mental Health: Trends and Challenges.

Casey Merrill, LPC-MHSP

Executive Clinical Director, HopeNation

“Let’s create a mutual understanding that Trauma is a physiological response to an event. Trauma stems from the Greek word meaning wound, it is not only what happened but the absence of what should have happened and didn't. Trauma is a wound not always seen but affects all aspects of our life when unresolved.”