“There are wounds that never show on the body that are deeper and more hurtful than anything that bleeds.”
– Laurell K. Hamilton
Las Vegas has not been the same since the horrific tragedy that occurred at the Route 91 music festival on October 1st, 2017. As we continue to grieve, our community has come together in incredible ways to support each other and honor those we lost. Since then, the need for mental health care has become apparent and stigmas have lessened leading to these services being more readily available and acceptable to seek out. Community traumas, such as October 1st, create lasting needs for mental health care even beyond those directly impacted.
It’s easy to assume that if someone isn’t directly involved in a traumatic event, there is no reason for them to have a negative reaction to it. This, however, is simply not the case. As shared in this article by clinical psychology professor and researcher, Laura Wilson, “We see people posting on Twitter that their loved one was just going to buy milk, and the next thing they knew they were being shot at or killed, and that can impact anybody regardless of proximity to the event.” Hearing these stories can make us see our everyday lives and actions with a new perspective. The more we think about them, the more likely we are to run through emergency scenarios in our heads and think about how it could have so easily happened to us instead. After the events of 9/11, Columbine, Aurora, Pulse Nightclub, etc, it’s normal to find yourself in public spaces fearful that similar events could happen at any moment. When this fear begins to inhibit your ability to function or properly engage in your surroundings, it may be time to seek professional help. If not dealt with properly, prolonged stress and anxiety can become crippling and inhibit us from enjoying experiences that are supposed to be fun.
The mental health community worked around the clock in the immediate aftermath of Route 91 to provide our city with ample mental health resources. However – there has been an opportunity for better continual follow up care for the community. Mental Health America’s study directly following the Route 91 tragedy stated that 67.5% of adults in Nevada struggling with mental illness go untreated – the highest percentage in the country. With the present concerns over COVID-19 and the aftermath of violent events around our community and country, there is an alarming need for more counseling services and trauma trained therapists for both those directly and indirectly affected. Mental and emotional wounds’ “invisible ” nature can often make them harder to identify, address, and heal from.. Your proximity to trauma around your community and nation does not negate your pain. Our team is here for you and wants to support you in your journey to healing- click here to read more about our EMDR/trauma services and here to discuss scheduling with us!