Community violence is defined by a wide range of events that shock and negatively affect a population.  Riots, shootings, assaults, massacres, bombings, war, terrorism and racial tensions are but a few examples the term denotes.  Unlike a natural disaster, community violence is usually without warning and always an intentional act by people.  Communities are left shocked by the surreal event.  The long-term effects of these out-of-the-blue events lead to feelings of betrayal and distrust.  It has the potential to destroy neighborhoods and end friendships.  In such situations, people can have many different reactions.  Below are suggestions of things to do and not do when community violence occurs. 

 

Common Reactions to Community Violence:

• Feeling numb or empty
• Grief
• Hopelessness
• Powerlessness
• Loss of sense of safety
• Sleep disturbances
• Trembling
• Nausea
• Shortness of breath
• Intrusive thoughts or images
• Isolation / Withdrawal
• Loss of interest in pleasurable activities

 

 

Although there is no “magic formula,” these suggestions may help ease distress. 

·         Take care of basic needs

Physiological needs are requirements your body needs for survival.  Make sure that you first have access to food, water and the basics.  When stress arises, relieve it by breathing deeply.  Try visualizing a favorite place or meditating.   Focus on soothing through your senses (listen to an uplifting song, smell freshly brewed coffee, pet an animal, etc.).  Following familiar routines can be comforting.  Keep your routine as normal as possible.

·         Improve your sense of security

Investigate realistic ways you can protect yourself, the people you care about, and property.  Protect yourself from overexposure to the event.  While it’s important to be informed by the news, avoid watching the endless coverage about the violence on TV.  Instead, try reading the news to get your information.

·         Talk to others

Belongingness and acceptance are core psychological needs and are comforting during distressful times.  Find trusted people to talk with such as family members, close friends, crisis counselors and spiritual/religious leaders.  Even talking to a pet can help with the strong reactions and overwhelming feelings that may occur.  Take advantages of resources that may be available from other areas of nation/world not directly impacted by the event like a crisis line, EAP service center or other identified resources.  When things seem to feel “crazy,” remind yourself that you are experiencing a normal set of reactions to an abnormal situation.

·         Keep pursuing previously enjoyable activities

This can be difficult in the aftermath of a tragedy but it’s psychologically important to keep trying to do the things you previously found enjoyable, even when you don’t feel like it.  Sometimes you have to force yourself to engage in positive distractions, for example reading, hobbies or exercise.  Distraction can keep your mind occupied and off the violence that has occurred.

·         Seek Meaning

It’s hard to make sense out of seemingly meaningless violence.  It can be tempting to become focused on revenge or on the other extreme becoming lost in the depths of hopelessness and despair.  Experiencing violence can challenge our worldview, shake our belief systems and leave us profoundly questioning the meaning of life.  Resist the temptation to seek out vengeance or on the other side sliding into despair.  Try to focus on re-evaluating the meaning of your own life.  Remind yourself that going through difficult situations can sometimes lead to personal growth.  Although it may sound counterintuitive, change can and does come from pain. 

 

What Doesn’t Help:

• Using drugs or alcohol
• Seeking revenge, violence, or conflict
• Extreme withdrawing
• Avoiding pleasant activities
• Not eating/overeating
• Ignoring your needs 

 

http://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/trauma/other/community-violence.asp

SAMHSA HHS Publication No. SMA-14-4888 (2014)

http://psychcentral.com/lib/ptsd-and-community-violence/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow%27s_hierarchy_of_needs

http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2015/04/how-community-violence-hurts-students/389270/

http://www.nctsn.org/content/psychological-first-aid

http://www.helpguide.org/articles/ptsd-trauma/traumatic-stress.htm