Taking care of your mental health following mass murder situations

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Tragic events like New Year’s Eve truck attack in New Orleans that killed 14 peoplecan harm your mental health.

“There’s nothing we can do to help. We’re not helping the situation by going into it. So all we can do is stand by and watch. And immediately see dead bodies lying in the street, in both ways, it’s something no one should have to see at the start of the new year. It’s heartbreaking,” said Annica and Paul, who witnessed the New Orleans attack.

The French Quarter disaster is repeating itself for those on the front lines of the chaos.

“There was just bodies and screaming. I mean, you can’t, you can’t not think, you know, not hear that. It was chaos and very, very scary,” said witness Kimberly Stricklin.

But even across the country, you might also face some effects.

“Collective trauma is just people watching what’s happening, hearing what’s happening. Even social media keeps repeating it. So a lot of times people are affected by a traumatic experience, or even through flashbacks, because of what they experienced “I see online,” said Jessica Hudson, a social worker at Fresno Clinical.

Hudson specializes in trauma and grief and advises you to make sure you give yourself breaks to talk about the events.

She says it’s also important to recognize when you need to discuss the situation, whether you’re an adult or a child.

“When children hear about mass shootings or major tragedies, they automatically internalize. So be sure to talk with your children about how this is a rarity and how you can protect them as much as possible ” Hudson said. .

“If you have a reaction, honor your reaction, honor your feeling, but just know when it’s time to get help from someone else.”

Something eyewitnesses know they will also have to look for soon.

“There’s no doubt we’re going to have to get some counseling for this. I mean, we haven’t really had a moment without thinking about it since it happened,” Annica and Paul said.

Hudson also says to make sure you don’t bottle up what you’re feeling, because holding in your feelings can cause other symptoms later.

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