Support After Violence

Mass Violence/Community Violence—This part of the SAMHSA Disaster Behavioral Health Information Series resource collection focuses on incidents of mass violence, community violence, and terrorism and their effects. Resources discuss common reactions to incidents of mass violence, tips for coping, and ways to support children and youth in coping. https://www.samhsa.gov/resource-search/dbhis?rc%5B0%5D=type_of_disaster%3A20549
Mental Health Considerations After a Traumatic Event—A product of Voices Center for Resilience, a nonprofit formed after the attacks of September 11, 2001, this tip sheet highlights common reactions to acts of violence, civil unrest, or terrorism. It identifies signs of the need for professional mental health support, coping tips during short- and long-term recovery, and signs of mental illnesses that may arise in the aftermath of exposure to violence. https://media.voicesofseptember11.org/projects/tipsheets/trauma_tips_mentalhealth_001.pdf
Improving Community Preparedness to Assist Victims of Mass Violence and Domestic Terrorism: Training and Technical Assistance (ICP TTA) Program—Funded by the Office for Victims of Crime within the U.S. Department of Justice, the ICP TTA program works to equip U.S. communities to respond effectively to incidents of criminal mass violence and domestic terrorism. The program's website features a resources page (https://icptta.com/resources), which offers vetted resources to help emergency managers, victim service professionals, and others make victim services part of emergency operations plans, as well as a trainings page (https://icptta.com/trainings), which includes freely available trainings to help build local capacity. https://icptta.com
Remembering—National Mass Violence Victimization Resource Center (NMVVRC) This web page describes how communities typically respond in grief after an incident of mass violence and offers guidance for community leaders in supporting communities through this process. Information and downloadable resources focus on communities remembering tragic events, incident anniversaries, and memorials. https://www.nmvvrc.org/community-leaders/rebuild-your-community/remembering

Coping after Mass Violence—Written for parents and families, this National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) tip sheet provides information about common reactions to mass violence and self-care tips for those living in communities where an incident of mass violence has taken place. The tip sheet also includes external resources for individuals seeking further support. https://www.nctsn.org/resources/coping-after-mass-violence
Parent Guidelines for Helping Youth after the Recent Shooting—In this 3-page tip sheet released shortly after a shooting, the NCTSN describes how such an event may affect children and teens as well as parents and other caregivers. The tip sheet lists reactions common among people of all ages, offers coping tips for caregivers, and suggests ways for caregivers to support children and youth in talking about and managing their reactions. https://www.nctsn.org/resources/parent-guidelines-helping-youth-after-recent-shooting

Psychological Impact of the Recent Shooting—This document from the NCTSN lists reactions people may have to a shooting and related experiences (such as loss of loved ones and disruption of routines). It describes grief reactions, depression, and physical reactions, and it highlights ways to cope effectively with reactions to a shooting. https://www.nctsn.org/resources/psychological-impact-recent-shooting
Talking to Children about the Shooting—In this tip sheet, the NCTSN provides suggestions to parents and other caregivers for talking with their children in ways that help them to make sense of and cope with their reactions to a shooting. The tip sheet also identifies reactions common in children and teens to shooting incidents. https://www.nctsn.org/resources/talking-children-about-shooting

Post-Disaster Retraumatization: Risk and Protective Factors—This SAMHSA Disaster Technical Assistance Center webcast defines trauma, traumatization, and retraumatization. It covers signs of retraumatization, risk and protective factors, and ways to prevent and manage retraumatization. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1O7w6pu4BdI&list=PLBXgZMI_zqfRcTt9ndxkbieQ-pQslk-R6
Tips for Survivors of a Disaster or Other Traumatic Event: Coping With Retraumatization—In this tip sheet, SAMHSA defines retraumatization as "reliving stress reactions experienced as a result of a traumatic event when faced with a new, similar incident," notes that retraumatization is common, and identifies ways to cope. The tip sheet lists events that may lead to retraumatization, highlights retraumatization signs and symptoms, and offers suggestions for coping. https://store.samhsa.gov/product/Tips-for-Survivors-of-a-Disaster-or-Other-Traumatic-Event-/sma17-5047

Media Coverage of Traumatic Events: Research on Effects—This online article for mental health and substance use disorder treatment professionals provides an overview of research on the effects of intense media exposure following a disaster. This article describes the association between media coverage of traumatic events and stress symptoms and closes with suggestions for practitioners in offering guidance to patients. https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treat/type/media_coverage_trauma.asp

SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline—The SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH) provides free, confidential crisis counseling and support to people in distress due to natural and human-caused disasters. The DDH is available 24/7, on all days of the year, via talk or text to 1–800–985–5990. The line also offers support in Spanish (people who call or text should press 2 for this option) and several additional languages other than English. People who are deaf or hard of hearing or who have other speech or hearing disabilities can use the texting option or, if they would like support in American Sign Language (ASL), they can call the DDH’s toll-free number via videophone-enabled device or click the “ASL Now” link at the DDH website. https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline—The SAMHSA-funded National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a source of support available 24/7 to people in crisis, including challenging reactions to disasters. Call 1–800–273–TALK (1–800–273–8255), or, for support in Spanish, call 1–888–628–9454. https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org

A disaster event such as this is unexpected and often brings out strong emotions. People can call or text the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline’s toll-free number (1–800–985–5990) and receive immediate counseling. This free, confidential, and multilingual crisis support service is available to anyone experiencing psychological distress as a result of a natural or human-caused disaster. People who call and text are connected to trained and caring professionals from crisis counseling centers in the network. Helpline staff provide confidential counseling, referrals, and other needed support services.

Should you have further questions, please feel free to contact me directly using my cell phone number and email and mailing addresses, which appear below in my address block. You can also contact CAPT Erik Hierholzer at 240–276–0408 or erik.hierholzer@samhsa.hhs.gov, as well as your SAMHSA Regional Administrator, Dennis O. Romero, M.A., at dennis.romero@samhsa.hhs.gov. Additionally, you can reach a technical assistance specialist at SAMHSA DTAC by calling 1–800–308–3515 or emailing dtac@iqsolutions.com.