Community crisis events continue to rise and create hopelessness. The spike in community trauma has the potential to create secondary traumatic stress leading to serious mental health conditions like PTSD or ASD. Cleveland Clinic reports 6%-33% of those who live through a traumatic event will develop Acute Stress Disorder in the aftermath of the crisis. These symptoms can cross all age groups after a community trauma, leaving many counselors overwhelmed about how to prevent worsening psychological symptoms. What should a counselor do or say to help, especially in the immediate aftermath following a mass casualty event? Many practitioners are not trained in how to spot Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) which is a common psychological stress response after trauma. Symptoms can appear within three to thirty days of living through a traumatic event. Without early intervention some will experience self-destructive behavior since every day counts in the recovery process. Sadly, those who ignore these symptoms may experience worsening of their own mental health in the first few days and weeks post-crisis event. Symptoms in the aftermath of community crisis may include: anxiety, intense fear, or helplessness and difficulty concentrating; recurring traumatic memories or hypervigilance; persistent difficulty feeling positive emotions like happiness or love; chronic sleep loss; feeling numb; avoiding situations, places, or other reminders of the traumatic event, which is challenging for school or workplace mass shootings since students and employees often return to the same location where they experienced trauma. There are stages of rapid psychological intervention in the aftermath of a community crisis. 

This workshop provides critical insights into the psychological recovery process following terrorist attacks, mass shootings, natural disasters, and other large-scale community crises. Participants will explore the differences between traumatic stress and secondary traumatic stress, gain tools to recognize early warning signs of Acute Stress Disorder (ASD), and learn strategies to guide clients toward stabilization and recovery. Through practical guidance, this workshop equips counselors, educators, and support staff with the skills needed to provide timely interventions, reduce the risk of long-term mental health issues, and foster resilience within affected communities. Join us to build a psychological response map and empower those impacted by crisis events.