Triggered by trauma in the news-need skills!

[Scarlet13]

Hi every body,

So I am freaking out because of the school shooting.
I also was already in a heightened anxiety state due to not sleeping due to a virus and work stress.

So, I am a teacher and I am struggling with not feeling safe. I also made the mistake of watching a video taken by a kid during the shooting.

I am just feeling so miserable and depressed.
I don't want to talk about gun violence. I just feel helpless.
I need skills.
What are the skills you use when you hear of a traumatizing event and you get that unsafe, panicky, miserable feeling?

I was never in a shooting, but always lived with violence hanging over my head.

I know I can use distraction and self care. But I hate the world right now. So that makes me think I should notice beauty or make meaning in my life.
What skills do you use when you are triggered by trauma in the news?

 

[littleoc]

I'm struggling with it too.

Especially while was chatting with someone who was in it -- sitting in a math class when it happened.

One person had told me once to look for the good people that come out of these events. Look for the helpers and and good people.

It helps a little.

Hopefully whoever replies next will help us both with even more things to do?

I hope you stay well in the meantime

 

[Scarlet13]

Yes, that does help.
The problem is that with other triggers there is a measure of safety. So like I can say, "That happened in the past."
But where as with this I cannot find the safety.
The only thing that helps is that

I know that is still rare, but it doesn't seem like it.
We don't get adequate training for enough situations. For if a gunman comes into our classroom or for if it happens during an assembly. There isn't a protocol for that. Only for if you are in your classroom and there is a lock down drill announcement.
So this is inadequate.
I asked about this one time at a meeting and I was told, "In that situation, just follow your gut instinct and most likely flee."
We need better than that.
I want to process this and make sense of it but it just leads to me hyperfocusing on it.

 

[Gs172003]

I know that is still rare, but it doesn't seem like it.
We don't get adequate training for enough sit...

That doesn't make sense!! I work at the zoo and even WE have active shooter training!

I would work to get that changed. Maybe if nothing else you can feel more empowered?

 

[Mach123]

I am having a hard time for the opposite reasons. I don't care anymore. I feel really bad about this. I know I am desensitized to it now. It's just something else that's on the news. I can't do anything about it. I don't care if they shoot me next. I mean I care but I just can't eat my heart out about it anymore. I just hope I behave bravely if I find myself in that situation. I hope I can save someone. I know it's partially because no one will do anything, nothing happens. I don't watch the news for one thing this helps a lot. I hear about it but that's it. I don't sit in front of the tube and let it get drilled into my head for hour after hour. There is a tv in the locker room at the gym. They leave the news on sometimes I don't like it. Usually there is a game on or a soap opera. I like that much better. I think I feel differently since my son went in the Army. He is not in combat but he is in the far east. Plus they could transfer him anywhere anytime. You have to deal with that as a parent. We all know what can happen. It's just part of reality now. I remember when things like school shootings didn't happen. When I was young in the sixties. Things were a lot different back then. There was a lot of violence though so who knows?

 

[Gs172003]

I don't know if this will help you or not but here's a free resource

Active Shooter Preparedness

 

[Freida]

For the active shooter training... Call your local police department and ask him come do a presentation for your school. We did that all the time. They had a specific active shooter presentation just for schools. If they don't have one they need to make one.

As far as the news goes I'm kind of a mixed bag. I just don't watch it I don't read the newspaper I don't surf the net looking for news. I used to be a huge newzjunky cuz I have a journalism degree. But now there's just too many triggers and it's not worth the information that I'm getting.

 

[Scarlet13]

No, nope. No active shooter training.
I am from a state that has had other really bad shootings, not sure why we don't.
I think I am going to say something, but why do they not know already?
There is no protocol for a lock down or a response during lunch in the lunch room, an assembly, school wide events, or recess.
Other than, "flee".
So, it is hard because I am a teacher and I know of the holes in the system.
I would just like a protocol response.
I may ask about active shooter training after I am not so sensitive as I want to be calm when I request it with my administration.
I am just going to take a self care day.
PTSD is a bitch.

 

[Gs172003]

No, nope. No active shooter training.
I am from a state that has had other really bad shootings, not...

Bless your heart

 

[littleoc]

That doesn't make sense!! I work at the zoo and even WE have active shooter training!

I would work to g...

(Awesome that you work at the zoo!! I was considering that... )

@Scarlet13 if you're able to, it might be really helpful not just for your peace of mind, but for students' peace of mind to push for some sort of information?

 

[Fadeaway]

My husband is a teacher and am doing my best to try and be supportive and listen to his fears. He has taught in several states and says every state has different protocols. Some give training, so just have you watcher a 15 minute video, some give the worst possible advice that actually puts everyone in more jeopardy, and others do nothing.

Based on what he is saying, there really needs to be a nationwide standard. In his opinion, lock downs can be more deadly, because a shooter knows there are people huddled inside and most classrooms have windows on the doors or somewhere else where a shooter can look right in and see easy targets. He says enclosed buildings versus open air campuses are at greater risk.

 

[Deleted member 541]

I think that anywhere you have a number of people and someone with a gun, the odds are people are going to die. Running or staying huddled, I’m not sure which is more effective. I guess until the issue of guns is addressed then our schools need to become a fortress.... Metal detectors, bullet proof glass, armed guards. I doubt that this will happen as the government doesn’t even want to reimburse teachers for supplies they’ve bought for students that can’t afford them.

So until we place human life above all else, and get off our asses and seriously do something to protect our children, then this carnage will continue.