On July 21st, American media mogul Oprah Winfrey held a conference event in Midrand, South Africa. The event, titled “What Happened to You: Understanding the Impact of Trauma on Learning, Teaching, and Psychological Functioning,” was hosted by the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls (Owlag).
A Day of Learning and Understanding
The daylong conference event brought together individuals from various walks of life who were seeking knowledge and skills to better understand the effects of trauma on learning, the human mind, and wellbeing.
Industrial psychologist Hema Parbhoo told Sowetan Live that her love for Winfrey and her career inspired her to attend the conference. “We’re all fans of Oprah. I’ve been in psychology for more than 20 years and I’ve also experienced trauma. I’m here with an open heart and I want to understand healing,” she said.
Oprah’s Insights on Trauma
During the conference, Oprah shared her insights on dealing with trauma. She emphasized the importance of understanding what happened to you, rather than questioning what could be wrong with you.
“It’s not what’s wrong with you? It’s what happened to you? This is how we need to be approaching each other and our own traumas,” she said.
A Living Testament
Throughout her career, Oprah has been a strong advocate for mental health and wellness. She is a living testament to the power of healing from trauma, having overcome emotional, physical, and sexual abuse throughout her childhood.
Oprah was born into poverty in rural Mississippi and struggled with body image issues as a teen. She also endured the crippling effects of racism and discrimination. Despite these obstacles, Oprah has persevered and continues to inspire and empower others to seek help.