MUSC-based mass violence center offers resources in aftermath of Uvalde shooting

The National Mass Violence Victimization Resource Center, based at the Medical University of South Carolina, is offering help in the aftermath of the horrific school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. The center’s team has assisted in the wake of multiple previous incidents across the country and has resources at the ready for Uvalde. Its experts know just how difficult the coming days, weeks and years will be.

In addition to the resources listed at the bottom of this report, Dean Kilpatrick, Ph.D., director of the NMVVRC and a professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at MUSC, released the following statement.

“Our team at the National Mass Violence Victimization Resource Center joins an entire nation in grieving for the community of Uvalde, Texas, and for the families of the 19 children and two educators who were senselessly murdered. It is difficult to comprehend such a heinous crime occurring in an elementary school – a place of perceived safety to children, teachers and parents.

 

We know that the impact of this horrific crime is immense. Lives have been shattered, and the close-knit community of Uvalde will never again be the same. We are fully aware that yet another mass shooting on the heels of the two crimes committed in Buffalo and Laguna Woods just last week is a painful trauma cue for the thousands of survivors and communities who have been previously impacted by mass violence crimes.

There are many trained professionals – including our team at the NMVVRC – who are committed to helping the victims, survivors and community of Uvalde. Through our experience with numerous mass violence crimes and school shootings, we have compiled a number of resources that may be helpful to the community of Uvalde and to anyone, anywhere who is affected by this tragedy.

These include tip sheets; information about a free, self-help phone app we developed; and contact information for agencies that may be able to provide you with additional assistance. Please take advantage of these resources to get through the upcoming days and weeks and remember to engage in self-care and love toward oneself and others.”

The NMVVRC was established in 2017 in partnership with the Office for Victims of Crime within the Office of Justice Programs in the U.S. Department of Justice. It focuses on giving victims and survivors access to evidence-based information and services, studying ways to prevent mass violence, preparing communities to deal with the aftermath of violence and bringing together agencies so survivors will have the help they need.  

Resources for educators

• Self-care strategies for teachers and providers, via NCTSN | read here
• Helping youth after community trauma: tips for educators, via NCTSN | read here in English| read here in Spanish
• Supporting children after mass violence events: a compendium of resources for educators | read here
• Psychological impact of the recent shooting (for teachers and parents), via NCTSN | read here

Resources for parents, caregivers and teens

• Assisting parents/caregivers in coping with collective traumas, via NCTSN | read here
• Parent guidelines for helping youth after the recent mass shooting, via NCTSN | read here in English | read here in Spanish
• Helping teens with traumatic grief – tips for caregivers, via NCTSN | read here
• Tips for talking with and helping children and youth cope after a disaster or traumatic event: a guide for parents, teachers and caregivers, via SAMHSA | read here
• For teens: coping after mass violence, via NCTSN | read here in English | read here in Spanish

Resources for coping and managing distress

• The NMVVRC self-help app, Transcend NMVC, is available on both Apple and Android mobile phones 
• Trauma cues related to mass violence incidents | read here
• Twelve self-help tips for coping in the aftermath of mass violence incidents | read here

• Tips for survivors: coping with grief after a disaster or traumatic event, via SAMHSA | read here
• Mindfulness and meditation to support resilience after mass violence | read here
• Trauma-informed mindfulness and meditation | read here
• Mass violence resources with child and family focus, via NCTSN | read here in English | read here in Spanish

Resources for community and civic leaders 

• Timeline of activities to promote mental health recovery: recommendations before, during and following a mass violence incident | read here
• Tips for community leaders: managing donations | read here
• Tips for community leaders: managing volunteers | read here