• Acknowledge what happened. If your child is talking or asking about traumatic events, it is important for the caregivers / loved ones in their life to acknowledge what happened, provide age-appropriate information, and be supportive.
  
  
• Parents may want to approach older children who may have seen the news or videos on social media and find out what they know and what their thoughts / feelings are about what happened.
  
  
• Recognize the effect this has on your child. Talk to your child about their thoughts and emotions as it pertains to the event and validate their feelings and concerns. With mass shootings in public places and places of worship, this is a valid concern for them, and all adults need to take their viewpoint and concerns into consideration.
  
  
• Help your child to feel safe. A sense of normalcy and routine as soon as possible after an event helps to re-establish a child's sense of safety and structure. Discuss whatever positive aspects can be found in tragic events such as the quick police response and how community members and citizens across the country are coming together to support those affected.

• Parent Guidelines For Helping Youth After A Recent Shooting
• Parent Guidelines For Helping Youth After Mass Violence
• Helping Your Children Manage Distress In The Aftermath of a Shooting
• Tips for Talking to Children and Teens After a Disaster
• Age-Related Reactions To A Traumatic Event
• Tips for Talking to Children after a Traumatic Event

• Tips for Survivors of a Disaster of Other Traumatic Event: Managing Stress
  
  
• Tips For Survivors: Coping with Grief after a Traumatic Event
  
  
• Tips for Survivors of a Disaster or Traumatic Event: What to Expect in Your Personal, Family, Work and Financial Life
  
  
• Normal Reactions to Abnormal Events

• Everyone experiences events and trauma in different ways and however they think or feel after an event like this is okay. Some people respond with fear, some anger, some shock, sadness, etc. Encourage people to talk about what they are thinking and feeling. Seek support from friends, family, or professionals if necessary.
  
  
• Try to get back to routines and schedules to promote feelings of consistency and balance to reduce fear and provide a feeling of returning control and predictability.
  
  
• Be mindful to consider the amount of exposure to the news / media, particularly to children. It is okay to keep updated, but continuing to view the images, etc. will worsen and prolong the issues the person is experiencing

Mass violence incidents, where several people are injured and killed, affect everyone in the community. Coping with mass violence can be very stressful. You or your friends might have been physically injured; you may have been worried about the safety of family and friends, or lost a loved one. You may have been interviewed by the police. It can be difficult to figure out where to begin when trying to understand what happened. Over time, most people begin to feel better and return to normal routines, but knowing about the impact of mass violence can help you take care of yourself and others.

Source: The National Child Traumatic Stress Network

• College Students: Coping after the Recent Shooting -The National Child Traumatic Stress Network

When a mass violence incident occurs, it has a devastating and destructive impact on victims, witnesses, first responders, community leaders,  people in the community, and many can be directly or indirectly emotionally impacted.

• Recognize that the feelings and reactions you are having – as long as they are not destructive to you or others – are normal and okay. 
• Talk to a trusted friend, family member or spiritual advisor
• Limit your exposure to television and social media
• Limit unhealthy coping strategies such as alcohol and other drug use
• If you or a loved one is feeling overwhelmed with feelings of anxiety and worry, no-cost professional crisis assistance is available. The National Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985- 5990 is available 24/7 to provide crisis support. 

 Source: Twevle Self Help Tips for Coping: National Mass Violence Victimization Resource Center

• Coping with Strong Emotions

Emotional distress can happen before and after a disaster. Coping strategies include preparation, self-care, and identifying support systems.

Short animated videos use hand-drawn images to help you learn about PTSD and effective treatments.

PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) is a mental health problem that some people develop after experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening event, like combat, a natural disaster, a car accident, or sexual assault.

Understanding PTSD & PTSD Treatment