When Institutions Isolate: The Mental Health Impact of Systems on Individuality
Content Warning: Some of the topics discussed in the articles referenced and linked within this blog address sensitive issues such as trauma, abuse, and systemic harm. Some readers may find this content distressing.
I spent time this past week processing a lot of heaviness due to feeling frustrated and disappointed by the hold of larger systems/institutions. Myself and so many of my clients have been impacted by the isolation that comes with being made to feel “other” in places we once valued and trusted. While it is difficult to adequately grasp every inner working of these systems, I’ve experienced their impact firsthand and draw on that perspective to help clients navigate, heal, and build resilience in the face of the challenges these systems create.
Most of us interact with institutions daily - whether it’s schools, workplaces, religious organizations, or even healthcare systems. Institutions are structured organizations built to provide order, community, and continuity. They establish rules, enforce norms, and offer belonging for those who fit within their framework. But for people whose individuality doesn’t align with an institution’s expectations, these systems can create deep feelings of exclusion and often - psychological harm.
Defining Institution
An institution can be defined as a complex structure of authority, norms, and roles that governs behavior and identity within a community.
Examples include:
Education systems that reward conformity in learning styles, leaving neurodivergent students feeling “deficient.”
Workplace cultures that value productivity over wellbeing, sidelining employees who prioritize balance or question outdated norms.
Healthcare systems that deny equitable access to marginalized groups, often reinforcing stigma around identity, illness, race/gender, or socioeconomic status.
Religious organizations that emphasize tradition and rule-following, making independent thinkers or those outside the norm feel shame and a sense of unworthiness.
Institutions are not inherently harmful. They can bring stability, belonging, and purpose. But their reliance on conformity means that individuals who don’t fit neatly within their structures often encounter exclusion, judgment, or dismissal.
Why Systems Exclude
Exclusion can happen in two ways:
Intentional Design
Institutions may deliberately restrict who belongs in order to preserve identity or control. For example, immigration policies create firm boundaries around belonging to a nation, while religious institutions may withhold sacraments or important practices from those deemed “not in good standing.”Unintentional Development
Other times, exclusion emerges gradually. A school curriculum that once reflected the “average” student might unintentionally marginalize bilingual students or those with disabilities. Corporate cultures built on outdated gender norms may alienate women or nonbinary employees without even naming it as policy.
In both cases, the underlying pattern is the same: individuality is perceived as a challenge to conformity, and institutions prioritize their continuity (fitting the mold) over inclusivity (valuing individual differences as an asset).
Institutional Betrayal
Institutional betrayal, a term coined by psychologist Jennifer Freyd, occurs when organizations that are expected to protect and support individuals instead commit acts of harm, neglect, or dismissal. Freyd (2013, 2014) outlines that this betrayal can take many forms:
Failure to respond appropriately to wrongdoing: For example, a university minimizing reports of harassment or assault.
Creating unsafe environments: When policies or cultures foster fear, discrimination, or stigma.
Denying or silencing experiences: When individuals who raise concerns are met with dismissal, minimization, or blame.
Exacerbating vulnerability: For people already marginalized (e.g., due to race, gender identity, disability), institutional betrayal compounds pre-existing inequities.
What makes institutional betrayal especially damaging is that it violates trust in a system that individuals rely upon. The betrayal is not only about the harm itself but also about the loss of safety, belonging, and stability. As Freyd and colleagues explain, this dynamic mirrors relational trauma: just as betrayal by a caregiver disrupts attachment bonds, betrayal by an institution destabilizes the social contract between person and system.
The Mental Health Cost of Institutional Harm
When someone feels silenced, excluded, or judged by an institution, the psychological effects can be long-lasting. Research has shown that individuals experiencing institutional betrayal report higher rates of anxiety, depression, dissociation, and PTSD symptoms than those experiencing the same traumatic events without institutional betrayal (Smith & Freyd, 2013; Monteith et al., 2016). In this way, the institution’s failure becomes a “second wound” - amplifying the original harm and prolonging recovery.
Some common mental health effects include:
Shame and guilt: Internalizing messages of being “unworthy” or “less than.”
Identity confusion: Struggling to reconcile personal values with institutional expectations.
Isolation: Feeling cut off from community when rules dictate who belongs.
Trauma responses: Ongoing hypervigilance, avoidance, or emotional numbing when reminded of institutional rejection.
Healing Beyond the Institution
Healing from institutional harm is not straightforward - it can feel overwhelming, confusing, and lonely. It’s important to know that these feelings are a normal response to betrayal by systems that were supposed to protect, guide, or support us. Healing is possible, and there are meaningful ways forward.
Find alternative communities
Safe spaces outside the institution - whether support groups, peer networks, or chosen families can offer belonging without judgment. Surrounding yourself with people who affirm your identity and lived experiences can ease feelings of isolation. Healing in community reminds us that exclusion says more about the rigidity of a system than about our worth.Reframe worth
Healing involves recognizing that our value is not defined by institutional approval. Worth is inherent, not conditional. This can be one of the hardest lessons to internalize, especially if a system once tied our identity to belonging or achievement. Practicing self-compassion can gently dismantle internalized shame and rebuild a healthier sense of self.Process the grief
Being excluded from a system we once trusted can feel like a profound loss. Just like other forms of grief, it often comes with anger, sadness, or even numbness. Naming these emotions is a crucial part of healing. Journaling, creative expression, or mindfulness practices can give space for these feelings, helping us to move through rather than suppress.Therapeutic support
Trauma-informed counseling offers a safe space to unpack the layers of betrayal, shame, or identity conflict. In addition to therapists, allies like mentors, coaches, or spiritual leaders who understand trauma can provide vital support. Professional guidance not only validates our experience but also equips us with tools for managing triggers, rebuilding trust, and finding new meaning.Advocate for reform
For some, part of healing is turning pain into purpose. Speaking out, sharing our story, or working to change systems can bring a sense of empowerment. Advocacy can help ensure others do not experience the same harm. At the same time, it’s equally valid if the healing right now looks like resting, setting boundaries, or stepping back from the system altogether.Grounding, somatic practices and resilience
Daily practices like breathwork, movement, or simply connecting with nature can help restore a sense of calm and connection to our body. When the body feels safe, the mind can begin to soften its defenses, making space for greater clarity and resilience. These small acts of grounding remind us that healing is not only about processing thoughts and emotions, but also about re-establishing trust between the mind and body.
A Path Forward
Healthy systems should make space for individuality. History shows us that reformers in religion, or civil rights activists in education and law, have pushed institutions to evolve toward greater inclusivity. When systems embrace inclusivity, they not only empower individuals but also strengthen their own resilience, adaptability, and legitimacy. Change is possible, but it often begins with those who dare to challenge conformity.
For those carrying wounds from institutional harm, healing means reclaiming identity, finding supportive community, and remembering that exclusion says more about the rigidity of the system than the worth of the individual.
Institutions may hold authority, but individuals hold resilience. The way forward is not only in reforming systems but also in affirming that individuality itself is worthy, whole, and valid - whether or not it fits the bullshit mold.
If you need support working towards healing, let’s talk.
References
Medical News Today. (2025). Institutional betrayal: Definition, effects, and more. Medical News Today
Monteith, L. L., Bahraini, N. H., Matarazzo, B. B., Soberay, K. A., & Smith, C. P. (2016). Perceptions of institutional betrayal predict suicidal self-directed violence among veterans exposed to military sexual trauma. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 72(7), 743–755. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.22292
Psychology Today. (2025). The heartbreak of institutional betrayal. Psychology Today
Smith, C. P., & Freyd, J. J. (2013). Dangerous safe havens: Institutional betrayal exacerbates sexual trauma. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 26(1), 119–124. PubMed
Smith, C. P., & Freyd, J. J. (2014). Institutional betrayal. American Psychologist, 69(6), 575–587.
Trauma Research Notes. (2024). When Institutions Betray: A New Research Review. Trauma Research Notes
