Healing after Community Violence

Online Resources 

Unexpected violence and loss can result in feelings of fear, panic, loss grief or guilt among people who have a connection to the event and others in the community, or even those who are watching it on the news. These feelings can emerge days or even weeks later.  

Mass Violence and Trauma-Specific Information 

This SAMHSA tip sheet introduces some of the signs of grief and anger after an incident of community violence, provides useful information about to how to cope with grief, and offers tips for helping children deal with grief. 

​​​​Coping With Grief After Community Violence
The SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline supports survivors, family members, responders, and recovery workers who are affected by incidents of mass violence and other disasters. Information on this web page includes a list of risk factors for distress, information on lockdown notices and other warnings, and additional resources for coping. 

Incidents of Mass Violence

General Disaster Response and Recovery Information 

This SAMHSA tip sheet gives stress prevention and management tips for dealing with the effects of trauma, mass violence, or terrorism. It lists tips to relieve stress, describes how to know when to seek professional help, and provides accompanying resources. 

Tips for Survivors of a Disaster or Other Traumatic Event: Managing Stress 

Tips for Survivors: Coping with Anger After a Disaster or Other Traumatic Event | SAMHSA Publications and Digital Products

This fact sheet from the American Red Cross explains normal reactions to a disaster, what a survivor can do to cope with these emotions, and where to seek additional help if needed. 

Be Red Cross Ready: Taking Care of Your Emotional Health after a Disaster

Resources for Children, Youth, Parents and Other Caregivers, and Schools

This fact sheet can help parents, caregivers, and teachers recognize and address problems in children and teens affected by a disaster. Readers can learn about signs of stress reactions that are common in young survivors at different ages, as well as how to help children through grief. Also, see: Traumatic Grief and Terrorism and Violence

Tips for Talking With and Helping Children and Youth Cope After a Disaster or Traumatic Event: A Guide for Parents, Caregivers, and Teachers 

This fact sheet explains how media coverage of a traumatic event may affect children and provide strategies to help parents address these effects.  

 Helping Your Child Cope With Media Coverage of Disasters: A Fact Sheet for Parents 

From the National ChildTraumatic Stress Network, lists of different psychological reactions to a shooting and its related consequences (e.g., decreases in school performance, sleep disturbances) are provided.

Psychological Impact of the Recent Shooting

This fact sheet from the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress provides tips for professionals to help them communicate effectively about a shooting, ensure physical safety and security, and provide answers to some common questions.

Restoring a Sense of Safety in the Aftermath of a Shooting: Tips for Parents and Professionals

Community Leaders

Leaders play critical roles in the recovery of communities and individuals after disasters.

Grief Leadership: Leadership in the Wake of Tragedy Leadership Communication: Anticipating and Responding to Stressful Events​​