When trauma goes untold, it often hides in plain sight. This piece reflects on how providers and communities can offer healing and dignity to survivors of human trafficking.

Introduction: A Glimpse into the Mirror

 Have you ever winced when watching someone fall—or smiled just because someone else did? That instant emotional reaction is thanks to mirror neurons: a remarkable part of your brain that lets you “feel with” others.

 Discovered through groundbreaking research by Dr. Giacomo Rizzolatti in the 1990s and expanded in 2010, mirror neurons help us understand others’ actions and emotions by simulating them in our own minds. This discovery offers profound insight into how empathy works—and what happens when it doesn’t.

In today’s fast-paced and high-demand work environments, mental health and motivation are often affected by more than just job descriptions or paychecks. While financial compensation remains a key factor in job satisfaction, research has shown that non-monetary rewards—what some call “emotional salary”—play a crucial role in employee wellbeing and performance.