August 5, 2024

Mass shootings have sadly become a common occurrence across America. In fact, up to one-third of US people say they avoid specific locations and circumstances out of fear of gun violence. Many people avoid high-profile gatherings and even crowded public locations, and ongoing anxieties can make relaxation difficult even in the safety of their own homes.

All of this is detrimental to our well-being, and it is a concerning trend that exposes a very real and rising kind of vicarious trauma as shootings continue to dominate national headlines. The potential for rising anxiety as a result of this fear is particularly troubling, but there are things you can do to better handle gun violence fear in general. Continue reading to find out what they are.