HEALTH: How Are We Supposed to Cope With Gun Violence?

Headlines for a healthier you.

By Anisa Arsenault, Associate Editorial Director

How Are We Supposed to Cope With Gun Violence?

I understand if you don't want to read this email. Yet another mass shooting means another wave of trauma porn, anxiety, and the need to be on guard all the time.

Experts say repeated traumatic events can negatively impact your ability to eat, sleep, and work—even if you weren't directly affected by the incident. Ultimately, this can lead to desensitization.

"You get to a point where it just doesn't affect you anymore because it's become so normalized, which is dangerous because you've lost the human connection, the human feeling to this trauma," Arron Muller, LCSW, licensed clinical social worker based in New York, says.

Know More

In addition to desensitization, research shows gun violence exposure increases levels of psychological distress, depression, and suicidal thoughts.

Feel Better

Talking about it helps. No, processing your feelings won't lead to policy changes, and it won't bring back lost lives. But experts say psychotherapy with a licensed professional can keep your mental and physical health in check. And limiting social media consumption can help, too.

What Else You Should Know

Why Public Health Resources Don't Stop Gun Violence

For 25 years, the CDC was effectively not allowed to study gun violence, preventing the U.S. from treating it like the public health crisis it is. That's because of the National Rifle Association (NRA). After a CDC study linked having a gun in the house to homicides, the NRA lobbied Congress to eliminate the agency. It stayed, obviously, but congressional members hamstrung the CDC from using funding to promote gun control. Only in 2019 did Congress grant funding—$25 million—to the CDC and the National Institutes of Health for firearm injury prevention research.

It's Time for a Social Media Break!

A study of U.S. college students shows real-life support is better for your mental health than social media. While social media can be a helpful tool to connect people, researchers say that if your usage consists mainly of scrolling, liking, and commenting, it's probably not doing you much good. On the flip side, seeking connections with friends, family, and others is linked to lower rates of depression, anxiety, and social isolation. As everyone turns to social media to react to more gun news, it may be wise to tune out.