Pursuit of common grounds across deep divides

Conflicts in various international regions underscore controversies and divisions in the United States and Europe, especially when images of destruction penetrate homes through mass media. They disrupt attention from localized and culturally sensitive ongoing issues of well-being. Domestic, natural, and man-made disasters profoundly impact physical and mental health of communities and individuals. Often opposing conflicting interests and predetermined bias overshadow the discourse. However, in many cases, emphasis on common grounds and similarities would facilitate the pursuit of coordinated preventative, immediate, and aftermath mental health interventions that are essential.