Hearing a stranger shout on the street: what it can mean — and what we can do

 

Source: https://www.verywellhealth.com/schizophrenia-brain-5193049

Early in the morning, it is not unusual to hear the sound of someone shouting on the road. Most of the time, it passes without much thought, but today, for the first time, I listened closely to an individual. He was speaking about how his own elderly father had beaten him. It was raw, loud, and unsettling. In that moment, it reminded me of how individuals who have gone through severe trauma sometimes express their pain. For some, this can take the form of what we often see in people struggling with schizophrenia or other mental health conditions, where their speech reflects past experiences that are deeply linked to trauma.

Trauma affects both the mind and the body. For the person speaking, the memory of being harmed is not something distant—it feels very present, as if it is happening again. This is why their words may sound repetitive, fragmented, or rushed. Their nervous system is on high alert, keeping them in a state of fight or flight, and the body carries that stress through a racing heart, tense muscles, and disrupted sleep. Over time, this constant state of alertness can affect overall health, leading to exhaustion, weakened immunity, and even heart problems. On the psychological side, trauma can cause overwhelming emotions, feelings of isolation, and a sense of hopelessness. For those who witness this, it can also be distressing. Hearing someone shout about abuse in the early morning silence brings up feelings of sadness, worry, or even fear, and it forces us to think about how much pain exists around us, often unnoticed.

So the question becomes—what can we do? The first step is always safety. If someone is at risk of harming themselves or others, emergency help should be called. But when there is no immediate danger, the best thing we can offer is dignity and compassion. A calm presence, a gentle voice, and simple gestures like offering water or asking if they need help can make a big difference. It is important not to argue or dismiss what they are saying, but to acknowledge their pain in a respectful way. Communities, too, play a vital role. When we are equipped with basic mental health first aid knowledge, we can respond more effectively, reducing stigma and creating an environment where people in distress are seen as humans in need of care—not as problems to be avoided.

Hearing someone cry out about their trauma in public is a reminder that pain often sits just beneath the surface in many lives. While we may not be able to solve everything in the moment, how we respond—with judgment or with compassion—can shift the impact. Small acts of kindness and understanding can provide the first step toward healing, both for the individual in pain and for the community that surrounds them