Spotlight

Rear view of young woman holding remote control while watching breaking news on TV in living room.

After the Violence: Mental Health and Healing

Experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event—such as a mass shooting or act of gun violence—can have lasting emotional and physical impacts. Whether the event was experienced firsthand or through the loss of a loved one or community, the effects can be overwhelming. Even hearing about these events in the news can trigger distress. Gun violence … Read More

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Autism Awareness Month 2025

April is Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month, and this year’s theme, “Autism Is,” highlights the diversity and complexity of the Autism spectrum. It encourages moving beyond simple awareness to deeper understanding and acceptance, emphasizing the importance of inclusion and respect for everyone, regardless of where they fall on the spectrum. The focus is on celebrating … Read More

Coping with the Aftermath of a Tornado

Coping with the Aftermath of a Tornado

Tornadoes are sudden, destructive storms that can cause not only physical damage but also long-lasting emotional distress. It’s important to address the emotional impact of these disasters so that individuals and communities can fully recover. Who Is at Risk? Certain groups are more vulnerable to emotional distress after a tornado: Children and Teens: Young people … Read More

International Women's Day 2025

International Women’s Day 2025

Collectively, we can #AccelerateAction for gender equality. Join the movement for International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025 on March 8th and take action to #AccelerateAction. The #AccelerateAction campaign aims to build a world where advancing gender equality is a shared commitment. By breaking down barriers and challenging biases, we can create environments where women are trusted, … Read More

caregiver and health care professional

National Caregivers Day 2025

National Caregivers Day is celebrated on the third Friday of February each year, with 2025 marking the observance on February 21. This day is dedicated to honoring the invaluable efforts of caregivers who provide physical, emotional, and personal care to those in need. Whether it’s a family member helping a loved one or a professional … Read More

Wildfires and Emotional Distress

Wildfires and Emotional Distress

Wildfires are usually triggered by lightning or accidents and often go unnoticed at first. They can spread quickly and are especially destructive if they occur near forest, rural areas, remote mountain sites, and other woodland settings where people live. While not reported as often as floods, tornadoes, or severe storms, they, too, can cause emotional … Read More

Coping with Crisis in the Media

Coping with Crisis in the Media

The news can be full of stories about unexpected or bad things like tornadoes or hurricanes, disease threats, bombings, kidnappings, and war. The scary thing is—it may seem like these things are happening all around you, even in places where you feel secure like campus, the mall and at home. Seeing these things on TV … Read More

Coping with Stress After Emergency Relocation

Coping with Stress After Emergency Relocation

Wildfires, floods, storms, wars and other natural man-made disasters can force people from their homes. Sometimes the evacuation is temporary, with a possibility to return home. Sometimes the relocation is long-lasting or even permanent, as a result of the home being destroyed or severe violence.  If you have be forced from your home by violence … Read More

Rear view of man raising his hand to ask a question while attending group therapy.

Coping with Grief After Community Violence

It is not uncommon for individuals and communities as a whole to experience grief reactions and anger after an incident of community violence. Grief is the normal response of sorrow, emotion and confusion that comes from losing someone or something important to you. Most people will experience a natural occurrence of grief after the death … Read More

Close-up of family discussing on sofa in living room

Tips for Parents on Media Coverage of Violent Events

While the media (television, radio, print and the internet) can help inform and educate you and your children about recent events, such as terrorism or shootings, media coverage unfortunately also has the potential to upset and confuse. As parents, you can protect your children by helping them understand media coverage while limiting their exposure to … Read More