Tips for processing traumatic events and resources available in the wake of Charlie Kirk killing

OREM, Utah (ABC4) — The Utah Department of Health and Human Services has released a list of free crisis resources to help people process traumatic events in the wake of the killing of Charlie Kirk on UVU campus on Wednesday.

“It’s important to realize that after a traumatic event, people are going to respond in many different ways,” Joe Dougherty, a spokesman for

Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), told ABC4.com. “Children, adults, and older adults have all different types of reactions, and so it’s important for all of us to realize that depending on who you’re with, they may respond differently to trauma.”

Dougherty said DHHS wants people to be aware of that. It can be hard to identify when someone is going through a difficult time, so DHHS has provided a list of what to look out for. DHHS also provided some tips of how to help both yourself and others deal with a traumatic event.

“It’s also important to remember that healing is a process, and healing takes time,” Dougherty added. “We want people to have in mind to be patient as they’re helping people recover.”

UVU also provided a list of mental health resources for students, faculty, and staff following the shooting, which you can read here.

“It’s one of the unfortunate things, even when we experience a tragic event, life continues to march on,” Dougherty said, “And we have responsibilities, and we have those demands, and so it’s really important to be there for one another, to be that supporting person.”

What to look out for

Dougherty said that the differing reactions people have to trauma is “part of that crisis response that our brain goes into. It goes into this overdrive feeling when we’re processing something traumatic.” You might see responses from someone that you are not used to seeing.

According to a news release from DHHS, people can experience emotions like fear, anger, sadness, and shame. People can also experience physical symptoms, like stomach aches and headaches.

How people respond to trauma varies from person to person, and it can vary depending on multiple factors, including a person’s age.

DHHS said that young children may not know how to express their feelings, so they might manifest in behavioral changes like acting out, bedwetting, or regressing to earlier developmental stages. Additionally, older children and adolescents might show signs of anxiety, depression, or anger, and they might pull back from family and friends or engage in risky behaviors.

Adults can experience a wide range of symptoms following a traumatic event, and they may experience feelings of guilt, shame, or detachment. They may have flashbacks, nightmares, and anxiety, and they may avoid reminders of the traumatic experience. Older adults may have the life experience to deal with traumatic events, but they can be affected in other ways, like feeling isolated and not recognizing or reporting symptoms. They may also have other health issues that can be aggravated by stress.

How to help yourself and others

“If you notice that your symptoms are getting worse over time or maybe you just aren’t improving at all, it’s important that first we practice that self-care, that we’re taking care of our bodies, our physical needs,” Dougherty said. “Eating nutritious foods, getting enough sleep, doing exercise, those things that will help your body stay in its normal rhythm and function.”

DHHS says that you should consider seeking out professional help if:

• Your symptoms are getting worse or are not getting better with time.
• Your symptoms are interfering with your daily life, work, or relationships.
• You find yourself turning to drugs or alcohol to help you cope.
• You’re thinking of harming yourself or others.

“Just like we would do if we had any type of injury, we would call a doctor, we would call 911,” Dougherty said. In this case, you can call 988, which is the suicide and crisis lifeline.

Dougherty also advised parents to make sure that they make and maintain a stable environment for their children to help them process a traumatic event.

• Maintain routines and schedules to provide stability.
• Tell your children it’s okay to ask questions and express their feelings.
• Listen to your children without judgement and validate their emotions as normal.
• Limit children’s exposure to graphic news coverage.
• Show your children how you are coping with your emotions in a healthy way.

Avoiding graphic news coverage is also a good idea for adults. “It’s very easy to retraumatize ourselves and just have those triggering experiences again if you see repeated news coverage of something that’s traumatic,” Dougherty said.

You can also spend time with people you trust who make you feel safe, and practice self-care with relaxing activities, like mindfulness, meditation, or deep breathing exercises. Volunteering in your community or helping others can help you feel a sense of control or purpose.

If you know someone who is struggling in the aftermath of a traumatic event like Charlie Kirk’s murder, Dougherty said that it’s important to talk to each other, but you also need to recognize that some people might not want to talk and respect that.

DHHS says you can offer support by:

• Listen with empathy, let the person know you are there for them.
• Avoid cliches. Instead say things like “I’m so sorry this happened” or “I’m here for you.”
• Offer practical help, like offering to prepare a meal or run an errand.
• Gently suggest that they might benefit from talking to a professional.