Presented by WhatsOn BD Youth Organization
Trauma is a powerful word. But many of us may not realize just how deeply it shapes our lives. From the way we relate to others, to the choices we make, to how we handle stress, fear, and love—trauma is there. It’s often hidden, but it touches every part of our human experience. This April, WhatsOn BD Youth Organization is proud to present a special screening of The Wisdom of Trauma, a thought-provoking documentary that challenges the way we think about mental health, pain, and healing.
About the Film
The Wisdom of Trauma is a 2021 documentary that runs for 1 hour and 27 minutes. It is directed and produced by Zaya Ralitza Benazzo and Maurizio Benazzo. The film features Dr. Gabor Maté, a well-known physician and author, who has spent decades studying addiction, mental illness, and trauma.
Dr. Maté shares a powerful message: trauma is not just something that happens to some people. It is a part of life for many of us. It often begins in childhood, when we are most vulnerable. When children grow up in environments that are unsafe, neglectful, or full of stress, their brains and bodies adapt in order to survive. These adaptations—like shutting down emotions, becoming overly aggressive, or developing addictions—may help us cope in the short term. But later in life, they can become the very things that hold us back.
This film is not just about trauma—it’s about hope. Dr. Maté encourages us to look beyond behavior and symptoms. Instead of labeling people as broken, bad, or mentally ill, he urges us to ask deeper questions: What happened to this person? What kind of pain are they carrying? And how can we create a society that supports healing, rather than punishment or shame?
A New Way of Seeing
The documentary offers a fresh and compassionate perspective on issues many societies face—addiction, depression, anxiety, violence, and homelessness. Rather than treating these problems as individual failings, The Wisdom of Trauma asks us to understand the root causes. Often, these challenges begin with early emotional pain that was never healed.
Dr. Maté speaks with individuals in prisons, on the streets, and in rehab centers. Many of them share stories of childhood abuse, neglect, and abandonment. These are people who were not supported or protected when they needed it most. Instead of being cared for, they were often punished or ignored. Through their stories, the film shows how our systems—whether in healthcare, education, or law—often fail the people who need the most support.
The documentary also shines a light on how trauma can be passed down through generations. When parents or caregivers have not healed their own trauma, they may unintentionally pass it on to their children. This creates a cycle of pain that continues unless it is interrupted by compassion, understanding, and support.
A Call for a Trauma-Informed Society
One of the most powerful ideas in The Wisdom of Trauma is the call for a “trauma-informed society.” In such a world, we do not just try to fix behavior. We do not jump to punish or diagnose. Instead, we seek to understand.
In this new vision, parents listen more carefully to their children’s emotional needs. Teachers understand that a student acting out may be struggling with something deeper. Doctors look beyond the symptoms to see the whole person. Judges and policy-makers consider the role of past trauma in a person’s life before making decisions. This way of thinking is more humane, more effective, and more just.
Why This Film Matters
In a time where mental health struggles are increasingly affecting young people, The Wisdom of Trauma is particularly relevant to our screening. The film highlights that mental health challenges such as stress, anxiety, and emotional pain are not a sign of weakness but a natural response to real experiences of loss, disconnection, and trauma. The struggles depicted resonate deeply within the context of Bangladesh and its surroundings, where political upheaval, social tensions, and personal traumas have left many grappling with emotional pain.
This documentary is more than just an exploration of trauma—it is a call for compassion and understanding. The reflection of Bangladesh’s turbulent political and social history is mirrored in the film’s portrayal of individual and collective struggles. It serves as a poignant reminder that the healing process is possible, even in the face of overwhelming odds. For those witnessing the challenges in their communities or experiencing their own inner struggles, this film provides a sense of hope and the possibility of a kinder, more empathetic world.
By watching The Wisdom of Trauma, audiences can engage not only with the struggles of others but also with their own personal journeys of healing. It offers a compassionate lens through which we can better understand the emotional landscapes of our lives, as well as the lives of those around us, particularly in the context of Bangladesh’s own ongoing challenges.
Join Us for the Screening
We invite you to join us in-person for a special community screening of The Wisdom of Trauma. This event is hosted by the WhatsOn BD Youth Organization, and it’s an opportunity to come together, learn, and begin important conversations about mental health and healing.
🗓 When: Friday, April 18, at 7:00 PM (GMT +6)
📍 Where: WhatsOn BD Office, H-9, R-2, S-3 Uttara Dhaka 1230
🎟 Entry: Only $1.00 USD per person
This screening is open to all, and we especially encourage youth, educators, parents, and healthcare workers to attend. After the film, there will be a space for open discussion, where attendees can share thoughts and feelings about what they’ve seen.
Bangla