ISLA VISTA TRAGEDY

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT: PREDICTING FUTURE NEED

Beth A. Cohen, Ph.D.Director, UC Davis

Academic & Staff Assistance ProgramMay 28, 2014

How Do We Make Sense Out of the Senseless?

Human Tragedy: The Grief Process

Loss of Control

Unsafe and Unpredictable

A Longer Healing Process

Lifelong Scarring

Non-linear Stages

The Violation of the Human Relationship

The Need to Regain Control

After the Shock Wears Off… The Inherent Need for a “Just World” The Process

BLAME!!! Anger Despair Fear

Law Enforcement

Laws (e.g., Gun, MH)

Schools

Government

BLAME

Mental Health Limitations

Welfare Checks

Involuntary Holds

Forced Medications

Fear=Danger

Increased Anxiety

Hyper Vigilance

Assessing Danger

Over Concern About Potential Violence Yourself and Others Increased Workload for Violence Prevention Teams

Warning Signs

Threatening/Disruptive/Violent Behavior Substance Abuse Irrational or Bizarre Behavior/Paranoia Fascination/Owns Weapons/Violence History Situational Factors (Personal and Professional) Emotional Instability Defiance/Demanding/Intimidating Threats to Harm Self, Others, Property Others Express FEAR and Concern

Until School Ends, Some…

Will Be Emotionally Overwhelmed Will Have Expansive Reactions Demographic:

Survivors/Close to the Victims With Recent Losses History of Trauma and Violation Experienced a Prior Tragedy Can’t Get Past the “Illusion of Safety Being

Broken” First Responders = Law Enforcement/Emergency

Next School Year The Power of Summer Focus on Rituals and Memorials Considerations:

Leadership Sensitivity The Risk of Too Little/Too Much Anniversaries Lessons Learned Trauma Awareness/ Education Debriefings Violence Prevention Teams

Human Resilience The Healing Cycle

Post Traumatic Growth

Rebuilding a Solid Foundation

UCSB Resources

For questions and consultation contact the Academic & Staff Assistance Program Coordinator, John Berberet, extension 3318

For online resources review the Counseling & Consultation web page under Employee Services on the Human Resources website