Newsroom > DHHS News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 7, 2007

CONTACT
Jeanne Atkinson, Communications and Legislative Services, (402) 471-8287

Sound bites from Scot L. Adams, Ph.D., are available at http://www.dhhs.ne.gov/audio/

Lincoln - People are struggling to understand why such a terrible thing as the shootings at Westroads Mall would take place, and may feel that the world is a more dangerous place today than it was yesterday.

"We are all saddened and shocked by this week’s events. Families of victims or anyone at the mall that day may be surprised by their intense and changing emotions after such a traumatic event," said Scot L. Adams, director of the Division of Behavioral Health. "People may have trouble sleeping, concentrating, eating or remembering even simple tasks. Feelings of shock, sorrow, numbness, fear, anger, disillusionment or grief are common and hopefully will pass in time."

The following tips may help people cope:

• Take time now to ‘feel it.’ Don’t push your feelings away.
• Talk to others about it. Ask for support from people who care about you and who will listen to your concerns.
• Strive for balance. When a tragedy occurs, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and have a negative or pessimistic outlook. Balance that viewpoint by reminding yourself of people and events which are meaningful and comforting, even encouraging.
• It is important to get professional help if you feel like you are unable to function or perform basic activities of daily living. At times, individuals can get stuck or have difficulty managing intense reactions. A licensed mental health professional such as a psychologist can assist in developing an appropriate strategy for moving forward.
• Try to limit the amount of news you take in, whether it’s from the internet, television, newspapers or magazines. The images can be very powerful in reawakening your feeling of distress.
• Take care of yourself. Engage in healthy behaviors to enhance your ability to cope with excessive stress. Eat well-balanced meals, get plenty of rest, avoid alcohol and caffeine. If you have trouble sleeping, try some relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga.

"It will take some time for people to recover their sense of equilibrium," Adams said. "Over time, the caring support of family, friends, church and other supports can help to lessen the emotional impact."

Anyone experiencing a severe emotional reaction to the shooting could contact the Girls’ and Boys Town National Hotline at 1-800-448-3000. Other mental health providers are listed in the yellow pages of the Omaha phone book.

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Note: Some of the information in this news release comes from the American Psychological Association.