Reclaiming Joy: The Guilt of Happiness After Tragedy
Recovery

Reclaiming Joy: The Guilt of Happiness After Tragedy

"Is it okay to laugh?" After months of grief, some Israelis have found themselves hesitating before moments of joy—guilty for feeling anything but sorrow.

July 5, 20241 min read

"Is it okay to laugh?" After months of grief, some Israelis have found themselves hesitating before moments of joy—guilty for feeling anything but sorrow.

Mental Health First Aid Israel addresses this common phenomenon. Joy after trauma is not betrayal. It is proof that the human spirit is resilient, that life insists on continuing.

Volunteers are trained to normalize moments of happiness: "It's okay to smile. It doesn't mean you've forgotten."

Reclaiming joy does not erase grief—it makes space alongside it. Healing means holding both.

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