The constant live broadcast of extreme violence, bombings, and atrocious acts of genocide in Gaza has left a deep mark on the collective psyche worldwide. In the 21st century, where information travels instantly through social networks and media outlets, these horrors do not only directly impact those who suffer them but also resonate with millions of people across the globe. These individuals, filled with empathy and commitment, have transformed their outrage into continuous global activism. Every week, hundreds of thousands march for Gaza and flood social media with heartbreaking images of malnourished children, women, men, and families disappearing into the smoke and rubble. This essay analyzes the profound psychic and affective impact that this violence provokes in global consciousness and proposes tools for collective self-care, vital to sustaining activism without diluting the pain or responsibility.
The horror in Gaza and global resonance
Gaza today faces a genocide that could be compared, in its brutality and magnitude, with some of the most horrendous crimes in human history. To put this into perspective, we must recall an indispensable parallel: the Nazi Holocaust. For decades, global society has mourned and reflected on those crimes thanks to the stories that emerged, especially after the Nuremberg trials, which crystallized the horror in collective consciousness. Over generations, countless films, books, and documentaries have helped keep the memory alive and foster empathy for the victims. Faced with these narratives, one cannot help but be deeply moved, as I am personally with “Sophie’s Choice” and Meryl Streep’s superb performance, which is absolutely impossible for me to watch again, especially after becoming a mother.
Now, imagine the impact of living, live and in real time, a genocide that has been broadcast without pause for over a year, with a world that never tires of marching: hundreds of thousands of people every week, demonstrations, vigils, and fiery expressions of solidarity with the Palestinian people and growing repudiation of crimes against humanity perpetrated by Israel. This massive activism is the visible manifestation of a planet that refuses to forget or normalize the horror. Yet, this prolonged exposure carries costs in the emotional and psychic well-being of millions.
The psychic and affective impact on global consciousness
The constant flow of painful images and testimonies of suffering generates a phenomenon already documented by psychologists and trauma specialists. Kaitlin Luna warns that continuous saturation can induce a state of chronic distress and emotional exhaustion known as “compassion fatigue,” where intense empathy may become counterproductive. A study published in the Journal of Trauma & Dissociation shows that ongoing exposure to traumatic events through media can trigger symptoms similar to post-traumatic stress in people not directly involved.
For those who actively take on the role of witnesses and mobilizers for justice in Gaza, the consequences can manifest as anxiety, depression, or growing helplessness. This complex phenomenon arises because the strength of activism precisely comes from intense empathy, but if not cared for, it can overwhelm and paralyze—and the Palestinian people need all of us mobilized today.
Self-care as a political and human act
In this context, self-care emerges as a strategic and ethical necessity. Professor Richard Lazarus highlights that sustaining prolonged and effective activism requires activists to consciously develop methods to preserve their mental health. Setting limits on digital information consumption and finding moments of respite through meditation, exercise, or contact with nature are vital steps. Go for a walk in the park. Breathe fresh air.
Judith Herman, in Trauma and Recovery, emphasizes that social action, born from healing, is a powerful way to maintain collective strength. Creating supportive communities—safe spaces to share emotions, outrage, and hope—is a form of resistance that prevents pain from consuming us. It is necessary to speak openly, share how we feel, and support each other while “not stopping talking about Gaza”.
As Bonnie B. Field states, recognizing, expressing, and consciously processing our pain is fundamental to avoid perpetuating emotional harm and to transform suffering into strength.
Emotional management tools to sustain the struggle
Activism around Gaza requires not only commitment but also psychic and emotional balance. These are some validated practices to protect well-being while remaining engaged:
– Mindfulness and meditation: as internal refuges, they allow confronting anxiety without abandoning the cause. In Gaza’s context, they help those who absorb difficult images daily to maintain a compassionate connection with themselves and the victims.
– Artistic expression: art acts as a channel to transform pain into communication. Murals, music, or poetry about Gaza not only release repressed emotions but also strengthen solidarity and collective awareness.
– Support communities: active solidarity in groups provides spaces to share experiences, feel belonging, and lighten the emotional burden of struggle. These communities are an effective antidote to compassion fatigue.
– Healthy boundaries: learning to say “no” and protecting time for disconnection helps maintain energy for the fight without falling into emotional exhaustion.
– Self-compassion: treating oneself with kindness and understanding amid personal suffering strengthens resilience and allows moving forward without destructive self-demands.
The call to sustain memory and action
In summary, human history has shown that only through recognition and memory—as with the Holocaust—is it possible to keep empathy alive to prevent the repetition of horror. Today, Gaza demands that same active memory, multiplied by the challenge of living this tragedy in real time. The uninterrupted global mobilization is a courageous and necessary act, but also an immense emotional and spiritual challenge.
The psychic and affective effect of the genocide in Gaza calls us to learn to care for ourselves in order to resist, to preserve our strength so we may continue to be a voice crying out for justice. This struggle, painful yet also hopeful, requires cultivating the balance between feeling others’ pain and protecting ourselves from harm. Caring for ourselves is a form of struggle.
Only by maintaining that balance can we be beacons of hope amid adversity, keeping alive the commitment to Gaza, without allowing global fatigue to silence truth or memory. Thus, the world will not only witness horror but also embrace justice, compassion, and solidarity, with the strength demanded by this heartbreaking present.