How Does the Collective Trauma from Mass Shootings Affect the Average American?
At times, it can feel like drowning in an ocean of grief, shock, and anger.
As we’re all painfully, excruciatingly aware, we live in a time rampant with mass shootings. The most recent shooting to ravage the nation’s psyche was the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas on May 24th, where 19 students and two teachers lost their lives. Not even halfway into 2022, the U.S. has already amassed a whopping 250 mass shootings (the definition of a mass shooting being four or more people, not including the shooter, being injured or killed).
Obviously, things are not great. Rather than even try to unpack the complex and politically-charged solutions to and / or reasons behind the problem, we’d instead like to explore how shootings have affected and continue to affect the mental health of your average American. Undeniably, the negative effects are compounded for those who have been closely involved in a shooting. For the rest of us however, there is the lingering possibility of one occurring every time we go to the grocery store, movie theater, church, a funeral, a music festival…and the list goes on. How has this looming threat affected our collective consciousness and well-being?
In a bygone era, the collective trauma of this kind of phenomenon may not have been as intense. With the advent of social media and the 24 hour news cycle however, each notification, each news story, each article can contribute to an increase in stress and paranoia in tandem with each violent event. On top of that, research has shown that there is a cumulative effect; the more people are exposed to violent news such as shootings, wars etc, the higher their stress levels become. This is not surprising - try monitoring your mood before and after consuming a piece of troubling news and make a note of the difference.
One-third of adults in the U.S. report that they have avoided going to certain events or places due to fear of a mass shooting occurring. Interestingly, trends show that in general, people become sensitized rather than desensitized to violent events, meaning that there’s not much of a chance that we will just “get used” to tragedy (and honestly, that’s a good thing).
In short, stress and paranoia levels are increasing, and it’s important to prioritize self-care during challenging times like these. Take breaks from the news and social media when you need to, and engage in activism if you begin to feel helpless. Being aware of your feelings surrounding these events is an important first step.
Mental Health Hotlines:
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 74174
National Domestic Violence Hotline: (800) 799-7233
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800) 273-8255
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Helpline: (800) 662-4357