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Resources in Response to the Orlando Tragedy

Traumatic Events and PTSD

The extent of the Orlando mass shooting has shocked and deeply touched individuals across the globe. Of all disasters, mass violence and terrorism is linked with higher rates of traumatic stress reactions and for longer durations.

People with a connection to the shooting (or to a similar type of event) may experience grief, fear, anger, helplessness, and sadness. They may find themselves thinking about what happened during the day and have trouble sleeping at night.

These are common reactions early on, but if they go on for more than a few weeks or are overwhelming it is important to seek help. Learn more about what to expect and when to seek help.

Index of Resources for Public and Professionals

• Resources for Survivors for and the Public Following Sudden Trauma - A complete list of information and resources from the National Center for PTSD.
• Resources for Providers Responding to Sudden Trauma - A complete list of information and resources from the National Center for PTSD.

Resources for Survivors and Their Families, Veterans and Community Members

What to expect after experiencing a traumatic event

Learn what to expect after experiencing a traumatic event like a mass shooting. Traumatic events impact not only the direct survivors, but also their families and loved ones, as well as the larger community.

• Common Reactions after Trauma | Reacciones Comunes Después de un Trauma - People experience a range of reactions following trauma including anger, nightmares, sleep problems, and more.
• Effects of Disasters: Risk and Resilience Factors - Learn about what makes some people more resilient or at risk of future mental health problems.
• Acts of Violence, Terrorism, or War: Triggers for Veterans - Describes how Veterans may respond to or be triggered by new acts of violence, terrorism, or war. Provides a list of tips to help Veterans cope with such events.
• Terrorist Attacks and Children - Discusses how children respond to events of terrorism, and tips for what professionals and parents can do.
• Media Coverage of Traumatic Events - Learn how media (news, movies, etc.) can affect your stress level or harm children, and read about how to reduce bad effects.
• Other Common Problems - People experience a range of reactions following a traumatic event. This section will help you to learn more about other common problems and reactions related to experiencing trauma.
• Resources for Survivors for and the Public Following Sudden Trauma - A complete list of information and resources from the National Center for PTSD.

Learn what you can do to help yourself

Everyone who lives though a sudden trauma is affected by it. Learn what you can do to help yourself.

• Self-Care After Disasters - Discusses ways to cope when you have been through a disaster.
• Coping with Traumatic Stress Reactions | Cómo Afrontar las Reacciones de Estrés Traumático - Discusses active ways to cope with traumatic stress, with tips for coping with specific PTSD symptoms.
• Survivor Handouts - These handouts, from the Psychological First Aid manual, cover topics such as what to expect after a disaster, tips for adults, tips for parents dealing with children, and the value of social supports.
• PTSD Coach App - Use this mobile app to learn about and cope with symptoms that commonly occur after trauma. Available in iOS and Android. Also see the iOS French Canadian version.
• PTSD Coach ONLINE - Choose from 17 tools and learn to manage trauma reminders, sleep issues and other troubling symptoms following trauma. Available to anyone on the internet.

Find out about ways to get help

Effective treatment is available. Some people will not get better on their own. People with the greatest exposure to the event (those in the nightclub or who lost a loved one) are at risk for developing PTSD.

If you are continuing to experience distress, and it is making it hard for you to do the things you want to do, get help.

Need immediate help?

• Call the Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 for support and counseling.
• Call the Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255 if you feel like you are in a crisis.

Other ways to get help

• Disaster Mental Health Treatment - Learn about the types of care used after disaster to help survivors and communities recover.
• Treatment of PTSD | Tratamiento del TEPT - Describes the treatments shown to be effective for PTSD and what you can expect from your therapist.
• Where to Get Help for PTSD - A list of resources for finding a therapist and getting help for PTSD.

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For Providers

Resources for Responders and Health Care Providers

Following disasters or terrorism, initial intervention involves reducing primary distress and offering practical assistance.

The information and resources below will help first responders and mental health providers respond to both the immediate and longer terms needs of survivors.

• Helping Survivors in the Wake of Disaster - Concise information for volunteers, mental health clinicians, chaplains, and medical personnel on the effects of traumatic stress and recommendations for helping survivors of disasters.
• Working with Trauma Survivors: What Workers Need to Know - Information regarding traumatic stress and tips on self-care.
• Early Mental Health Intervention for Disasters - Discusses factors that influence prevention of problems following disasters, obstacles to help-seeking, early intervention, and basic principles of emergency care, including Psychological First Aid.
• Secondary Mental Health Treatment Following Disasters - Discusses follow-up mental health care after disasters, including identifying those at-risk, timing and content of services, and ways to maximize care.
• The Psychological First Aid: Field Operations Guide - PFA is an evidence-informed modular approach for assisting people in the immediate aftermath of disaster to reduce initial distress and to foster short and long-term adaptive functioning.
• PFA Mobile App - Following disasters or emergencies, the PFA Mobile app can assist responders who provide Psychological First Aid (PFA) to adults, families, and children. iTunes (iOS)| Google Play (Android)
• Psychological First Aid for Schools (PFA-S) - For school staff, this manual is an evidence-informed approach for assisting children, teens, adults, and families in the aftermath of a school crisis, disaster, or terrorism event. The guide includes handouts and worksheets for adults and children.
• Managing Grief after Disaster - Clinical advice regarding managing grief after a disaster, including addressing traumatic grief, complications of bereavement, and risk factors.
• Resources for Providers Responding to Sudden Trauma - A complete list of information and resources from the National Center for PTSD.

Learn what you can do to take care of yourself

Many individuals who work with trauma survivors experience an enhanced sense of meaning, respect for the strength of others, and connection with humanity. But long hours in the immediate aftermath of a sudden trauma can take its toll on responders. Learn what you can do to take care of yourself.

• Disaster Rescue and Response Workers - Provides information specific to response and recovery workers on stress reactions. Includes tips on managing stress during and following the disaster, as well as after they return home.
• Working with Trauma Survivors: What Workers Need to Know - Information regarding traumatic stress and tips on self-care.

The same resources survivors can use to manage symptoms can also be helpful for providers and other first responders. See:

• PTSD Coach App - Use this mobile app to learn about and cope with symptoms that commonly occur after trauma. Available in iOS and Android. Also see the iOS French Canadian version.
• PTSD Coach ONLINE - Choose from 17 tools and learn to manage trauma reminders, sleep issues and other troubling symptoms following trauma. Available to anyone on the internet.

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The National Center for PTSD

The National Center for PTSD, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, has a history of providing public education as well as professional consultation and training during times of national disaster, with involvement in the Nation's response to the Loma Prieta earthquake, 9/11, the Oklahoma City bombing, hurricane Katrina, the Newtown, CT. school shooting, and the Boston bombing.

Beyond immediate assistance, The Center has conducted disaster-related research and, with the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, developed interventions such as Psychological First Aid and Skills for Psychological Recovery.

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