trauma - A deeply distressing or disturbing experience, especially one with lasting emotional impact; a psychological or emotional wound, often resulting from an intense or life-threatening event.

Childhood trauma can have long-lasting effects on a person’s mental health
farce - A deceptive action that someone tries to fool others into believing that he takes it seriously
Everyone in town knew that a bridge at the busy intersection was needed, but they felt that all the Mayor's activity about the subject was just a farce because he didn't really take the problem seriously.