Navigating the Trauma of National School Shootings

Lately, it feels like no matter where you turn, negative news surrounds you. Red lights, caution tape, and death counts fill your television screen. The headlines in the newspaper or articles online tell the same story. Another report of a school shooting is sweeping across the nation. You feel anxious, stressed, and hopeless.

Whether you're a parent, a student, a teacher, or a concerned member of society, a mixture of thoughts and emotions is consuming you. What ifs flood your brain. What if the next one hits a little too close to home? Here's how to navigate the trauma of school shootings.

Focus on Your Mental Health

Dismissing your mental health can be extremely easy to do when you're experiencing hard times. One of the best things you can do for your mental health is to make it a priority. Whether you're going through good or bad times, your overall mental health and wellness should be your top concern.

I know, I know. This can be easier said than done. Do your best to make sure you're prioritizing your sleep, drinking enough water, eating healthy and well-balanced meals throughout your day, and aiming to move your body for at least 30 minutes.

Focusing on your mental health also means avoiding things that may cause you added stress or anxiety. If you notice you're feeling more overwhelmed after watching the news, reading articles, or scrolling on social media, it may be a great time to disconnect for a bit. This doesn't mean you have to cut yourself off completely, but taking breaks or setting time limits each day is a great idea to avoid getting lost in negative news all day.

Talk with Loved Ones

Connecting with others to discuss everything can help reassure you're not alone. Reach out to friends, family, co-workers, or the parents of your children's friends to discuss what's been going on. Getting all those negative thoughts, feelings, and emotions off your chest is a great first step.

Plus, having the validation of others expressing they may be feeling the same can be exactly what you need to help with the coping process. As a human, it's very important to be heard and understood.

Get Active

For some individuals, channeling those thoughts and feelings into action can be a great way to cope. If you're that type of person, try to do something that may help the situation move forward. There are many different organizations you can reach out to and work with. Volunteering may be a great way to channel that energy as well. If you have the monetary funds available to you, donating to programs can help families of victims and school shooting survivors. Sometimes getting those thoughts on paper can be a great way to seek relief as well. Write a letter demanding change to your local politicians or congress.

Seek Professional Help

Feeling anxious, nervous, or stressed when hearing news about school shootings are all completely normal human emotions. That being said, there's a difference between experiencing stress and carrying it with you. If the negative emotions you're feeling are lingering and you can't seem to push them away, it can actually cause more issues for your mental health and wellness.

If you get to the point where you feel like you can't control your emotions or negative thoughts and feelings, it may be time to reach out for additional help and support. You don't have to go through what you're feeling alone. A therapist can listen and help provide resources and ways to help you cope during these uncertain times. If you're interested in learning more about trauma therapy, contact me today to set up a consultation.