June 13, 2025 • 17 mins
Pain isn't always a crucible for growth; sometimes it's an unbearable prison from which people desperately need escape. During National PTSD Awareness Month, we confront both the value and burden of suffering, especially the kind of trauma that makes people just want it to stop.
• Approximately 20% of adults globally live with persistent pain
• PTSD affects 6-8% of U.S. adults during their lifetime, impacting about 12 million Americans
• Women, veterans, first responders, and trauma survivors carry heavier burdens of PTSD
• Historical trauma shows how unbearable pain can drive people to desperate measures
• Four evidence-based approaches to healing: validation, professional treatment, mind-body interventions, and community connection
• The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7 support for anyone in crisis
• Let pain refine you, not define you
• Recovery is possible—you are not alone
If you're in crisis or know someone who is, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to chat with a trained counselor. The service is free, confidential, and available 24/7.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
Well, hello everybody .
Welcome back to another episodeof Assault Talk with Jerm ine
Alberty.
I'm your host, Jermine Alberty.
Today's theme is no pain, nogain, but this isn't about
glorifying suffering, especiallywhen it becomes unbearable.
In honor of June's NationalPTSD Awareness Month, we'll
(00:23):
confront both the value and theburden of pain, and especially
the kind of trauma that makespeople just want it to stop.
This is Jermine Alberty, andyou're listening to the SALK
Talk.
For many, pain isn't a crucible,it's a prison.
(00:43):
People with chronic pain orPTSD often say I just want
relief, I want it to stop.
This level of suffering is nota gateway to growth, it is an
emergency.
And can you imagine someonesaying to you these words?
(01:09):
I'd do anything, just silencethe pain, even if nothing comes
back, if you felt that that'svalid, because pain has a way of
(01:29):
breaking people, not buildingthem, and that matters.
And so I want to talk aboutthis subject, about pain,
because there are people who Italk to day in and day out that
are just in severe emotional andphysical pain and they just
(01:50):
really want it to stop.
Being an empath, my heart goesout to these individuals and I
want to try to help resolve andhelp fix and try to do these
different things, and one of thethings I realized is that we
have to address this issue notindividually, but collectively,
(02:12):
have to be a village one to theother.
My friends, pain is widespread.
In fact, research tells us thatabout 20% of adults globally
live with persistent pain andthat in the US, 20.9% of adults
(02:33):
suffer some kind of chronic painin 2021, and that 6.9%
experienced high impact chronicpain that limited their daily
life.
June is National PTSD AwarenessMonth, and what we know is that
(02:57):
PTSD affects many of our lovedones.
In fact, it impacts between sixto eight percent of US adults
during their lifetime, withapproximately about 3.5 percent
of those adults experiencing itin any given year.
(03:17):
That is about 12 millionAmericans overall.
When we think about who is atrisk of experiencing PTSD, what
we know is that certain groupscarry heavier burdens.
Once again, research tells usthat women report higher chronic
(03:42):
and PTSD rates.
That rate is 10 to 12% of women, versus 5 to 6% in men.
We know that our veterans arereporting pain and
post-traumatic stress.
About 11 to 20% of Iraq,afghanistan vets reported
post-traumatic stress disorder,12% of Gulf vets, 13% of Vietnam
(04:04):
veterans live with PTSD andfirst responders between 7% to
14.6% of them have PTSD.
And civilian trauma also isanother area where we see
reports of PTSD from those whoare survivors of assault
(04:27):
disasters.
Those are also risks.
I found myself in 2023 inWashington DC at the National
Museum of African AmericanHistory and Culture, one of the
Smithsonian museums, across aplacard, if you would that read,
(04:56):
we had 12 Negroes did willfullydrown themselves and others
starved themselves to death fortears their belief that when
they die, they return home totheir own country and friends.
That was a quote by CaptainThomas Phillips of the Hannibal
(05:18):
in 1694.
My friends repeated unresolvedpain, emotional or physical, can
steal people away, and what weknow is is that suicide rates
among African enslaved people inthe Middle Passage illustrate
(05:41):
this horror.
These weren't accidental deaths.
They were acts driven bydesperation, by enduring pain
that became unbearable.
You know, what's so importanthere is that sometimes pain can
(06:01):
be so unbearable that we justwanted to end and we just want
to go home.
I believe we are made of threeelements body, soul and spirit,
and I believe the spirit comesfrom the Great One.
I believe the spirit comes fromthe great one.
I believe the spirit comes fromwho we call God and that
sometimes in the midst of oursuffering, we just want to go
(06:25):
home, as these slaves wanted tojust go home.
My friends, I want you to knowthat you're not alone, friends,
I want you to know that you'renot alone.
You are not alone, and I wantyou to know that your pain can
(06:45):
lead to growth.
Not every hardship builds us,but research on post-traumatic
growth shows many who survivetrauma reemerge with stronger
relationships, purpose andspiritual depth when given
support and tools.
I want to repeat this again myfriends, you are not alone,
(07:08):
because I want everybody who'slistening to this podcast, who
will hear my voice, but if youknow a friend, a family member,
someone who is in pain, that youreach out to them and let them
know.
I might not be able to helpresolve your pain, but I want
(07:41):
you to know but with help paincan refine and reshape.
Just shared with my sonyesterday that we have to let
our pain refine us and notdefine us.
And I want to say that again,it's important that we let our
(08:06):
pain refine us and not define us.
And so I'm a man of science,I'm a man of research, I love to
be able to present people withevidence-based approaches, but
also keep in mind also our owncultural backgrounds and our own
(08:27):
experiences, and so I know thatwhat may work for one group or
one person, but that work forall groups.
So when I give thesesuggestions, if they work for
you, that's great.
If they don't work for you, hey, try something that does.
But what we do know that thereare four evidence-based
approaches here that I want toshare with you that can help you
to move from pain to a healing,and the first one is validation
(08:52):
and acknowledgement.
It's so important that you donot live in your pain in silence
.
I need you to speak about thatpain.
I need you to talk to thosethat you trust.
I need you to use my model ofcare, and my model of care is
having a triple A team, that is,people who are accessible,
(09:16):
assuring and affectionate.
I want you to keep in mind mymodel.
My model is, as I believeeveryone should have a triple A
team that comprises of peoplewho are accessible, affectionate
and assuring affectionate andassuring.
That could be, once again,people within your peer circle
(09:38):
family, friends, but also I wantto encourage you to see a
therapist.
I want to encourage you topossibly join a support group.
All these different things canhelp you to validate and
acknowledge your pain.
The other thing I want toencourage you to do is, please
don't be afraid that as you seekthat therapist or that other
(10:03):
professional, that you also areadding in professional treatment
.
So number one is validation andacknowledgement.
Number two is professionaltreatment.
For PTSD, there isevidence-based treatment
therapies like cognitivebehavior therapy that can help
you be able to reshape andreframe and rethink how you're
(10:26):
managing your pain.
There's also number threeanother strategy is mind-body
interventions like mindfulnessmeditation.
These can reduce pain'sintensity by up to 50%, on par
with morphine.
So instead of just turning tosome kind of medication or some
(10:49):
kind of drug to try to reducethat pain, just mindfulness
meditation can reduce pain'sintensity.
And then number four, lastly,it is community and connection.
What we know has been part oftrauma-informed peer groups,
church support, communityhealing spaces all those things
(11:13):
can help you reduce isolationand increase your resilience.
I want you to hear that again.
If you are in pain, I want youto not isolate yourself.
We want to reduce isolation andwe want to increase your
resilience by you beingconnected to your community.
So I want you to hear thosefour strategies again.
(11:33):
Number one is validation andacknowledgement.
Number two is professionaltreatments.
Number three is mind-bodyinterventions and number four is
community and connections.
My friends, I want to extend anopportunity for you to reflect
right now and, if you're in aplace where the pain is too much
(11:58):
, I want you to take this momentto breathe and remind yourself
that help exists Now.
Earlier in this episode, Imentioned that there were
individuals who died by suicide,and I want to let you know once
again that you are not alone,because there is a number, three
(12:18):
digits 988.
Yes, 988.
I want you to write that down,I want you to put it in your
phone.
What is 988?
It is a lifeline.
It is a suicide and crisislifeline where they understand
that life challenges cansometimes be difficult and
whether you're facing mentalhealth struggles, whether you
(12:42):
are facing emotional distress,whether it is alcohol or drug
use concerns or you just needsomeone to talk to, there are
caring counselors that are therefor you at 988-988-LIFELINE.
And I want to reemphasize fourwords Once again you are not
(13:05):
alone.
If you go to 988-LIFELINEorg,what you'll see there at that
site is the ability to call, theability to text, the ability to
chat, and even for those whoare deaf or hard of hearing.
There is options there for youat 988lifelineorg, or call 988
(13:29):
Lifeline.
This Lifeline is available 24hours, seven days a week, 365
days a year, and yourconversations are free and
confidential.
A lot of folks say so.
You know what should I expect tohappen when I call this?
(13:50):
What's up?
One first of all, you're goingto hear a message that gives you
service selection options.
Then there's going to be somemusic.
It's going to be played.
You're going to be placed onhold while you're connected to a
counselor, and there areSpanish language counselors
available.
There is LGBTQI plus servicesthat are available If you are a
(14:13):
veteran, for veterans.
The phone will ring until acounselor can answer your call.
So, step one you're going to geta message.
Step two you're going to hear amessage.
Step two, you're going to hearsome music on hold.
Step three a counselor will sayhello and introduce themselves.
Step four your skilledcounselor will ask you if you
are safe.
And number five, after they askabout your safety, your
(14:37):
counselor will listen to you,understand how your problem is
affecting you, provide yousupport and share any resources
that may be helpful.
I think it's important.
You didn't know.
That's what's going to happen.
Don't be afraid, Call thatnumber.
Those five steps are going tobe going on to support you.
(14:57):
My friends, I will say it againyou are not alone.
Once again, this June PTSDAwareness Month I want to extend
to you an invitation this monththat it's important to take a
free PTSD self-screening online.
(15:17):
Share it with a friend.
Once again, I want you to talkopenly and tell your story,
because it could help someoneelse who feels alone.
And once again, I want toencourage you to please reach
out to your local clinic, to 9AACrisis Line, to VA resources,
because I want you to understandthese three words Rebuilding is
(15:40):
possible.
I want you to understand thesethree words Rebuilding is
possible.
I want you to hear three morewords Recovery is possible.
I want you to hear these twowords you matter my pain, my
pain that I feel sometimes forothers.
(16:01):
I think so great, I think somuch that I have a village that
surrounds me, that supports mewhen I'm in pain.
I want you to know that.
Listen us.
Healers also need healing too.
So if you are a healer, talk toanother healer and make sure you
get your pain taken care ofalso.
(16:25):
My friends, you have beenlistening to another episode of
the Salt Talk with JermaineAlptey, and I want you to know
that no pain, no gain is not amandate to endure all suffering.
It's a reminder that pain, whenmet with care, community and
courage, can lead to healing andwholeness.
(16:47):
So may those in crisis findrelief and may your stories
invite connection, and may thisPTSD Awareness Month shine hope
in dark places.
But June is a very specialmonth for me.
It's a month that comes with abit of pain, because June 10th
(17:10):
is the day my beautiful, lovelymother was born, and she would
have been 68 years old this year.
She passed away at the age of55 and experienced a lot of pain
during her life she also butexperienced great love from her
(17:33):
family and from her friends.
So we dedicate this episodethis month of June to my lovely
mother, Brenda Rose Alberty.
You are so loved, my dearmother and my friends.
Thank you once again forlistening to SALT Talk with
Jermine Alberty.
Well, hello everybody .
Welcome back to another episodeof Assault Talk with Jerm ine
Alberty.
I'm your host, Jermine Alberty.
Today's theme is no pain, nogain, but this isn't about
glorifying suffering, especiallywhen it becomes unbearable.
In honor of June's NationalPTSD Awareness Month, we'll
(00:23):
confront both the value and theburden of pain, and especially
the kind of trauma that makespeople just want it to stop.
This is Jermine Alberty, andyou're listening to the SALK
Talk.
For many, pain isn't a crucible,it's a prison.
(00:43):
People with chronic pain orPTSD often say I just want
relief, I want it to stop.
This level of suffering is nota gateway to growth, it is an
emergency.
And can you imagine someonesaying to you these words?
(01:09):
I'd do anything, just silencethe pain, even if nothing comes
back, if you felt that that'svalid, because pain has a way of
(01:29):
breaking people, not buildingthem, and that matters.
And so I want to talk aboutthis subject, about pain,
because there are people who Italk to day in and day out that
are just in severe emotional andphysical pain and they just
(01:50):
really want it to stop.
Being an empath, my heart goesout to these individuals and I
want to try to help resolve andhelp fix and try to do these
different things, and one of thethings I realized is that we
have to address this issue notindividually, but collectively,
(02:12):
have to be a village one to theother.
My friends, pain is widespread.
In fact, research tells us thatabout 20% of adults globally
live with persistent pain andthat in the US, 20.9% of adults
(02:33):
suffer some kind of chronic painin 2021, and that 6.9%
experienced high impact chronicpain that limited their daily
life.
June is National PTSD AwarenessMonth, and what we know is that
(02:57):
PTSD affects many of our lovedones.
In fact, it impacts between sixto eight percent of US adults
during their lifetime, withapproximately about 3.5 percent
of those adults experiencing itin any given year.
(03:17):
That is about 12 millionAmericans overall.
When we think about who is atrisk of experiencing PTSD, what
we know is that certain groupscarry heavier burdens.
Once again, research tells usthat women report higher chronic
(03:42):
and PTSD rates.
That rate is 10 to 12% of women, versus 5 to 6% in men.
We know that our veterans arereporting pain and
post-traumatic stress.
About 11 to 20% of Iraq,afghanistan vets reported
post-traumatic stress disorder,12% of Gulf vets, 13% of Vietnam
(04:04):
veterans live with PTSD andfirst responders between 7% to
14.6% of them have PTSD.
And civilian trauma also isanother area where we see
reports of PTSD from those whoare survivors of assault
(04:27):
disasters.
Those are also risks.
I found myself in 2023 inWashington DC at the National
Museum of African AmericanHistory and Culture, one of the
Smithsonian museums, across aplacard, if you would that read,
(04:56):
we had 12 Negroes did willfullydrown themselves and others
starved themselves to death fortears their belief that when
they die, they return home totheir own country and friends.
That was a quote by CaptainThomas Phillips of the Hannibal
(05:18):
in 1694.
My friends repeated unresolvedpain, emotional or physical, can
steal people away, and what weknow is is that suicide rates
among African enslaved people inthe Middle Passage illustrate
(05:41):
this horror.
These weren't accidental deaths.
They were acts driven bydesperation, by enduring pain
that became unbearable.
You know, what's so importanthere is that sometimes pain can
(06:01):
be so unbearable that we justwanted to end and we just want
to go home.
I believe we are made of threeelements body, soul and spirit,
and I believe the spirit comesfrom the Great One.
I believe the spirit comes fromthe great one.
I believe the spirit comes fromwho we call God and that
sometimes in the midst of oursuffering, we just want to go
(06:25):
home, as these slaves wanted tojust go home.
My friends, I want you to knowthat you're not alone, friends,
I want you to know that you'renot alone.
You are not alone, and I wantyou to know that your pain can
(06:45):
lead to growth.
Not every hardship builds us,but research on post-traumatic
growth shows many who survivetrauma reemerge with stronger
relationships, purpose andspiritual depth when given
support and tools.
I want to repeat this again myfriends, you are not alone,
(07:08):
because I want everybody who'slistening to this podcast, who
will hear my voice, but if youknow a friend, a family member,
someone who is in pain, that youreach out to them and let them
know.
I might not be able to helpresolve your pain, but I want
(07:41):
you to know but with help paincan refine and reshape.
Just shared with my sonyesterday that we have to let
our pain refine us and notdefine us.
And I want to say that again,it's important that we let our
(08:06):
pain refine us and not define us.
And so I'm a man of science,I'm a man of research, I love to
be able to present people withevidence-based approaches, but
also keep in mind also our owncultural backgrounds and our own
(08:27):
experiences, and so I know thatwhat may work for one group or
one person, but that work forall groups.
So when I give thesesuggestions, if they work for
you, that's great.
If they don't work for you, hey, try something that does.
But what we do know that thereare four evidence-based
approaches here that I want toshare with you that can help you
to move from pain to a healing,and the first one is validation
(08:52):
and acknowledgement.
It's so important that you donot live in your pain in silence
.
I need you to speak about thatpain.
I need you to talk to thosethat you trust.
I need you to use my model ofcare, and my model of care is
having a triple A team, that is,people who are accessible,
(09:16):
assuring and affectionate.
I want you to keep in mind mymodel.
My model is, as I believeeveryone should have a triple A
team that comprises of peoplewho are accessible, affectionate
and assuring affectionate andassuring.
That could be, once again,people within your peer circle
(09:38):
family, friends, but also I wantto encourage you to see a
therapist.
I want to encourage you topossibly join a support group.
All these different things canhelp you to validate and
acknowledge your pain.
The other thing I want toencourage you to do is, please
don't be afraid that as you seekthat therapist or that other
(10:03):
professional, that you also areadding in professional treatment
.
So number one is validation andacknowledgement.
Number two is professionaltreatment.
For PTSD, there isevidence-based treatment
therapies like cognitivebehavior therapy that can help
you be able to reshape andreframe and rethink how you're
(10:26):
managing your pain.
There's also number threeanother strategy is mind-body
interventions like mindfulnessmeditation.
These can reduce pain'sintensity by up to 50%, on par
with morphine.
So instead of just turning tosome kind of medication or some
(10:49):
kind of drug to try to reducethat pain, just mindfulness
meditation can reduce pain'sintensity.
And then number four, lastly,it is community and connection.
What we know has been part oftrauma-informed peer groups,
church support, communityhealing spaces all those things
(11:13):
can help you reduce isolationand increase your resilience.
I want you to hear that again.
If you are in pain, I want youto not isolate yourself.
We want to reduce isolation andwe want to increase your
resilience by you beingconnected to your community.
So I want you to hear thosefour strategies again.
(11:33):
Number one is validation andacknowledgement.
Number two is professionaltreatments.
Number three is mind-bodyinterventions and number four is
community and connections.
My friends, I want to extend anopportunity for you to reflect
right now and, if you're in aplace where the pain is too much
(11:58):
, I want you to take this momentto breathe and remind yourself
that help exists Now.
Earlier in this episode, Imentioned that there were
individuals who died by suicide,and I want to let you know once
again that you are not alone,because there is a number, three
(12:18):
digits 988.
Yes, 988.
I want you to write that down,I want you to put it in your
phone.
What is 988?
It is a lifeline.
It is a suicide and crisislifeline where they understand
that life challenges cansometimes be difficult and
whether you're facing mentalhealth struggles, whether you
(12:42):
are facing emotional distress,whether it is alcohol or drug
use concerns or you just needsomeone to talk to, there are
caring counselors that are therefor you at 988-988-LIFELINE.
And I want to reemphasize fourwords Once again you are not
(13:05):
alone.
If you go to 988-LIFELINEorg,what you'll see there at that
site is the ability to call, theability to text, the ability to
chat, and even for those whoare deaf or hard of hearing.
There is options there for youat 988lifelineorg, or call 988
(13:29):
Lifeline.
This Lifeline is available 24hours, seven days a week, 365
days a year, and yourconversations are free and
confidential.
A lot of folks say so.
You know what should I expect tohappen when I call this?
(13:50):
What's up?
One first of all, you're goingto hear a message that gives you
service selection options.
Then there's going to be somemusic.
It's going to be played.
You're going to be placed onhold while you're connected to a
counselor, and there areSpanish language counselors
available.
There is LGBTQI plus servicesthat are available If you are a
(14:13):
veteran, for veterans.
The phone will ring until acounselor can answer your call.
So, step one you're going to geta message.
Step two you're going to hear amessage.
Step two, you're going to hearsome music on hold.
Step three a counselor will sayhello and introduce themselves.
Step four your skilledcounselor will ask you if you
are safe.
And number five, after they askabout your safety, your
(14:37):
counselor will listen to you,understand how your problem is
affecting you, provide yousupport and share any resources
that may be helpful.
I think it's important.
You didn't know.
That's what's going to happen.
Don't be afraid, Call thatnumber.
Those five steps are going tobe going on to support you.
(14:57):
My friends, I will say it againyou are not alone.
Once again, this June PTSDAwareness Month I want to extend
to you an invitation this monththat it's important to take a
free PTSD self-screening online.
(15:17):
Share it with a friend.
Once again, I want you to talkopenly and tell your story,
because it could help someoneelse who feels alone.
And once again, I want toencourage you to please reach
out to your local clinic, to 9AACrisis Line, to VA resources,
because I want you to understandthese three words Rebuilding is
(15:40):
possible.
I want you to understand thesethree words Rebuilding is
possible.
I want you to hear three morewords Recovery is possible.
I want you to hear these twowords you matter my pain, my
pain that I feel sometimes forothers.
(16:01):
I think so great, I think somuch that I have a village that
surrounds me, that supports mewhen I'm in pain.
I want you to know that.
Listen us.
Healers also need healing too.
So if you are a healer, talk toanother healer and make sure you
get your pain taken care ofalso.
(16:25):
My friends, you have beenlistening to another episode of
the Salt Talk with JermaineAlptey, and I want you to know
that no pain, no gain is not amandate to endure all suffering.
It's a reminder that pain, whenmet with care, community and
courage, can lead to healing andwholeness.
(16:47):
So may those in crisis findrelief and may your stories
invite connection, and may thisPTSD Awareness Month shine hope
in dark places.
But June is a very specialmonth for me.
It's a month that comes with abit of pain, because June 10th
(17:10):
is the day my beautiful, lovelymother was born, and she would
have been 68 years old this year.
She passed away at the age of55 and experienced a lot of pain
during her life she also butexperienced great love from her
(17:33):
family and from her friends.
So we dedicate this episodethis month of June to my lovely
mother, Brenda Rose Alberty.
You are so loved, my dearmother and my friends.
Thank you once again forlistening to SALT Talk with
Jermine Alberty.
Popular Podcasts
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.