PTSD: National Center for PTSD

Disaster and Mass Violence

Mass violence refers to any traumatic event that affects a large number of people. Terrorism—like bombings, shootings, or other violent acts—and are types of mass violence. Disasters may be natural—like a hurricane, tornado, wildfire or tsunami—or man-made. These community events can lead to loss, injury, grief, fear and a need for support. At the same time, such events can bring people together and build resilience. Learn about the psychological effects of different types of man-made and natural disasters as well as acts of mass violence. There are resources to help you and your community.

• Resources for Survivors and the Public Following Disaster and Mass Violence
  Information to help survivors and those affected deal with mass casualty events and disasters.
• What to Expect in the Wake of Disaster | En Español
  Disasters can cause a range of reactions in direct victims, emergency personnel, as well as in the public at large. There are strategies you can use to cope in the short- and long-term, and effective treatments that can help.
• What to Expect in the Wake of Mass Violence | En Español
  Mass violence events can cause a range of reactions in direct victims, emergency personnel, as well as in the public at large. There are strategies you can use to cope in the short and long-term, and effective treatments that can help.
• What to Expect in the Wake of Wildfires | En Español
  Wildfires have caused millions of acres to burn, leaving death, injury, loss of homes and community destruction in their wake. Such events can also cause financial hardship and ongoing stressors as people work to put their lives back together.
• Help for People Affected by Disasters and Mass Violence
  Learn about the types of help individuals and communities may need to recover after a disaster or mass violence event. Useful resources are included in the article.
• Ways for Families to Cope with School Shootings | En Español
  Learn to use and adapt strategies found to help families with fear, anger and loss after a school shooting.
• Self-Care After Disasters
  Disasters may cause a number of stress reactions in those who experience or respond to the event. Learn about steps you can take to manage stress after a disaster.
• Effects of Disasters: Resilience and Risk Factors
  When disaster happens, it's common to have stress reactions. Most people recover in time. Learn about factors that make it more or less likely that someone will have more severe or longer-lasting stress reactions after such events.
• Media Coverage of Traumatic Events
  Learn how media (news, social media, movies, etc.) can affect your stress level or harm children, and read about how to reduce negative effects.
• Terrorist Attacks and Children: Information for Caregivers
  Find out how children respond to events of terrorism, and get tips for what caregivers can do to help.

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