Blog: Addressing Trauma and Mass Violence [SAMHSA]

June 22, 2022

By: Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, Ph.D., Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use

Our hearts go out to all experiencing loss and grief from the tragic mass shootings and other forms of community violence from Buffalo, NY to Uvalde, TX and in many other locations across our nation.

Please know that SAMHSA stands with you during these troubling times and offers support to help you and your loved ones cope with this trauma, including our Disaster Distress Helpline – call or text 1-800-985-5990 (for Spanish, press “2”) to be connected to a trained counselor 24/7/365.

The SAMHSA-funded National Child Traumatic Stress Network has developed a range of resources to help children, families, educators, and communities including the following which you can access via these links:

• Talking to Children about the Shooting
• Helping Youth After a Community Trauma: Tips for Educators (En Español)
• Talking to Teens about Violence (En Español)
• Coping After Mass Violence: For Adults
• For Teens: Coping After Mass Violence (En Español)
• Helping School-Age Children with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers(En Español)
• Helping Teens with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers (En Español)
• Helping Young Children with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers (En Español)
• After a Crisis: Helping Young Children Heal