April 18, 2007

Many Americans are feeling shocked, confused and vulnerable in the wake of Monday's mass shootings at Virginia Tech that left 33 people dead and dozens more injured. Details about the shooting continue to unravel, but many people wonder why and how such a tragic event could happen.

 

As investigators struggle to find a motive for the rampage, the killer has been identified as Seung-Hui Cho, a 23-year old male student. Officials will be investigating the shootings for days and weeks ahead, but we now know there were two separate shooting incidents. The first was in a dorm where two people were killed, and then two hours later, in a classroom building where the rest of the victims were killed, including Cho who took his own life. He has been described as a depressed and angry student in his senior year.

 

Friends and parents of Virginia Tech students and staff have been hit hard by the tragedy, but it has also affected those who don't have a personal connection to the school. Traumatic events like this make people feel frightened and unsafe. If you or someone you know is having a strong reaction to the shooting, the worst in U.S. history, the following tips can help.

 

• Remember that even if you weren't directly affected, it's normal to experience some or all of the following symptoms for some time following a trauma: 
  • Sadness and crying 
  • Inability to concentrate 
  • Fear and anxiety 
  • Sleep problems 
  • Distressing dreams 
  • A general sense of uneasiness 
  • Outbursts of anger
  • Depression 
  • Irritability

 

• Also remember that tragic events like this shooting can also bring up painful memories of past events.
• Realize that your mood and feelings may be intense and constantly changing. This may be especially true in the current situation as more and more details about the shootings become available. You may be more irritable than usual or your mood may change dramatically from one day to the next. Be patient with yourself.
• If the shooting has left you or your child feeling fearful about school or campus safety, be sure to talk about it. Make sure your college-age child knows how to get help on campus and what to do in an emergency. You may also find it helpful to get an emergency contact number at your child's school -- often the dean of the student's office -- and keep it with your other emergency numbers. School-age children may have lots of questions about the shooting. Try to respond to these questions in a calm, age-appropriate way. Reassure younger children that events like these are truly rare, and that everyone in your community is working to make schools safe.  
• Create an emergency plan with your family. Doing something proactive, like making sure your family members can reach each other during an emergency or tragic event may help you feel better. It's common for cell phone and land lines to get tied up after an event like the recent shootings, so it's a good idea to have an alternate plan for communicating. This might include instant messaging programs or text messages sent on a cell phone. 
• If media coverage of the shootings makes you anxious, limit how much you take in. If you have children, be especially careful about how much coverage of the shootings they see.

 

Finally, if you or someone you know is having a difficult time coping in the aftermath of the shootings, get help. Your EAP or employee resource program can help you find help. You may also find comfort by seeking support with others. Share your anxieties and concerns with the people you trust -- friends, relatives, co-workers and others.

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