Triggered is not meant to be a new slang phrase. Teenagers saying that they are triggered sarcastically undermines the true seriousness behind triggers.
Though an opinion piece, this piece is more of a rant. It's inspired by a teacher of mine, who will go by the name of X so that they remain anonymous. I do not mean to attack this teacher or any student who says the word triggered. My goal is to shine a light on what trigger really means and the importance of labeling writing and movies and other public things with trigger warnings.
Class started as normal, X attempting to get us to discuss the topic of the day. We were supposed to be discussing the use of trigger warnings before videos, stories, books, and such in school. X didn't understand the point of it, and after warning us about a rape scene coming soon, said, "Yeah. I guess it kinda makes me feel better to tell you about it."
No.
No, X.
That's not the point at all. Putting trigger warnings are not to make you feel better.
They are not to let the student 'just be exempt'.
They are not pointless.
They do not take away from the 'harsh reality of the situations portrayed'.
Picture this: You're a teacher, showing your class a video. No warning whatsoever, an explicit rape scene comes from the giant screen. In the back corner of the room, a student lets out a strangled sob. A panic attack follows. Do you want to take that risk? Risk a student's mind being flooded by hideous memories and throwing them into a mental set-back? Another video, another screen. This one? Self-harm and suicide. Blood. Pain. That night, your student goes home and relapses. Eating disorders. For the next month they starve, ugly thoughts refilling the pitcher in their heads.
Now, the negative impacts aren't the teacher's fault, not at all. How could they have known? They don't know... that's the point. Giving a trigger warning just avoids these things. Don't give the warning the day of, guys. What's the point? Give the warning ahead of time. Know who needs to sit out. This doesn't 'exempt' the student from whatever assignment goes along with it. If that's the only part they can't watch, let them put their head down. If they're affected strongly enough to need to not watch, they understand what it's about. It won't inhibit their work ability.
This goes with writing, too. If your story has self-harm, rape, eating disorders, bullying, and anything- anything traumatic, put a trigger warning. No, no. You don't have to put them at the beginning of every chapter, especially if every chapter isn't triggering. Put it at the beginning. Put a little TW at the top of a particularly explicit chapter. All of my personal stories that need them have trigger warnings and what the trigger is. Those who won't be triggered won't care, those who will be will appreciate it. It doesn't mean you'll lose a majority of your audience- they can skip those parts or be braced enough to handle it.
Overall, I believe in trigger warnings. I will always use them. I like seeing them on stories. I think they're important, and should be used in all situations, including school, when they're truly needed.
Stay safe. If you or anyone you know are struggling, call a hotline. These are only a few sources out of the many available. (If any don't work or are scam websites, please let send us a message)
http://www.suicide.org/international-suicide-hotlines.html
https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/treatment-for-eating-disorders/get-help-now
https://www.rainn.org/international-sexual-assault-resources
http://www.teenhealthandwellness.com/static/hotlines
http://drugabuse.com/library/drug-abuse-hotlines
Though an opinion piece, this piece is more of a rant. It's inspired by a teacher of mine, who will go by the name of X so that they remain anonymous. I do not mean to attack this teacher or any student who says the word triggered. My goal is to shine a light on what trigger really means and the importance of labeling writing and movies and other public things with trigger warnings.
Class started as normal, X attempting to get us to discuss the topic of the day. We were supposed to be discussing the use of trigger warnings before videos, stories, books, and such in school. X didn't understand the point of it, and after warning us about a rape scene coming soon, said, "Yeah. I guess it kinda makes me feel better to tell you about it."
No.
No, X.
That's not the point at all. Putting trigger warnings are not to make you feel better.
They are not to let the student 'just be exempt'.
They are not pointless.
They do not take away from the 'harsh reality of the situations portrayed'.
Picture this: You're a teacher, showing your class a video. No warning whatsoever, an explicit rape scene comes from the giant screen. In the back corner of the room, a student lets out a strangled sob. A panic attack follows. Do you want to take that risk? Risk a student's mind being flooded by hideous memories and throwing them into a mental set-back? Another video, another screen. This one? Self-harm and suicide. Blood. Pain. That night, your student goes home and relapses. Eating disorders. For the next month they starve, ugly thoughts refilling the pitcher in their heads.
Now, the negative impacts aren't the teacher's fault, not at all. How could they have known? They don't know... that's the point. Giving a trigger warning just avoids these things. Don't give the warning the day of, guys. What's the point? Give the warning ahead of time. Know who needs to sit out. This doesn't 'exempt' the student from whatever assignment goes along with it. If that's the only part they can't watch, let them put their head down. If they're affected strongly enough to need to not watch, they understand what it's about. It won't inhibit their work ability.
This goes with writing, too. If your story has self-harm, rape, eating disorders, bullying, and anything- anything traumatic, put a trigger warning. No, no. You don't have to put them at the beginning of every chapter, especially if every chapter isn't triggering. Put it at the beginning. Put a little TW at the top of a particularly explicit chapter. All of my personal stories that need them have trigger warnings and what the trigger is. Those who won't be triggered won't care, those who will be will appreciate it. It doesn't mean you'll lose a majority of your audience- they can skip those parts or be braced enough to handle it.
Overall, I believe in trigger warnings. I will always use them. I like seeing them on stories. I think they're important, and should be used in all situations, including school, when they're truly needed.
Stay safe. If you or anyone you know are struggling, call a hotline. These are only a few sources out of the many available. (If any don't work or are scam websites, please let send us a message)
http://www.suicide.org/international-suicide-hotlines.html
https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/treatment-for-eating-disorders/get-help-now
https://www.rainn.org/international-sexual-assault-resources
http://www.teenhealthandwellness.com/static/hotlines
http://drugabuse.com/library/drug-abuse-hotlines