LOUISVILLE, Ky. — On Monday, April 10, a gunman opened fire inside the Old National Bank in downtown Louisville killing five and injuring several others.
As a community reeling in pain pulls together to be Louisville strong, experts say everyone must take time to heal in their own ways.
"That happened yesterday, and we all just went back to work today like everything is fine," Clinical Counselor Lauren Muir said. "At some point, you have to stop and process what just happened."
Muir says mass violence can take a toll on your mental health, even if you learned about it on television.
She says experiencing a massacre through images can cripple you with fear or burden you with sorrow. Though coping with it can be difficult, she says it's crucial to do what works best for you.
"For one person it may be they need to be alone and shut everything out, and take a moment to breathe," she said. " But for somebody else, it may be a connection that makes them feel better and they may want to get with other groups of people, or stay around family and friends so they don't have that feeling of being alone."
Muir also suggests finding a quiet place to process, speaking with a licensed therapist, or having open conversations with loved ones, including children.
How to explain mass shootings to children
Rev. Rick Forest, chaplain and bereavement care coordinator at Norton Children's Hospital, and Dr. Bryan Carter, a clinical pediatric psychologist at Norton, offered ways to navigate talking to children about mass shootings:
Ask what they know already
"For younger children especially, find out what they know. That way you know where they're starting from," they said.
Officials said to answer children's questions honestly but without going into unnecessary detail. "Give just the facts they need."
Norton said older children may have more questions based on what they see in the news or hear from friends.
Provide reassurance
Children are most often concerned about security and safety. Many may wonder why this awful thing can happen to them.
"Children may feel worried about going into public places or even back to school," officials said. "Reassure your children that you also are focused on safety everywhere you go."
Reassure them that whatever emotions they feel -- they are valid.
"Yes, something terrible happened and it's OK to feel bad about it, and even a little worried," they said.
Take a break from the news, social media
Adults can handle these horrific incidents better than children, officials said.
Watch how you react to what you see on social media and in the news. Children can be prone to get carried away with their own imaginations.
"If you're calm with how you handle bad news and events, it's reassuring to children and helps them learn how to cope," they said.
Ultimately, be available
For children who are very upset, the doctors say it's important to be there for your kids when they have questions.
"Often kids will ask one question and then change the subject. It might be that the answer upsets them or that they need time to process it," they said.
Be prepared for additional questions later as they may pop up after a while.
Officials said to keep a normal schedule and pay attention to the child, and spend quality time with them.
Most importantly, just be there for them.
Here's a list of grief counselors at local houses of worship:
These locations will be available from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
- The Greater Faith Church of Deliverance, 2105 Buechel Bank Rd.
- Spirit Filled New Life Church Ministries, 4936 Hazelwood Ave.
- The Father Word & Holy Ghost Church of Christ, 10400 Old Preston Hwy.
- King Solomon Missionary Baptist Church, 1620 Anderson St.
- Beargrass Missionary Baptist Church, 2300 Payne St.
- Greater Israel Missionary Baptist Church, 1509 Magazine St.
- New Covenant Baptist Church, 1190 S 40th St.
- Temple of Shalom, 4615 Lowe Rd.
- New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church, 2973 Wilson Ave.
- Greater Galilee Missionary Baptist Church, 3918 West Broadway
- Lampkins Chapel C.M.E. Church, 2738 Algonquin Parkway
- Remnant Church of God in Christ, 3309 East Indian Trail
- Moore Temple Church of God in Christ, 2315 West Broadway
- Drepung Gomang Center for Engaging Compassion, 411 North Hubbards Ln.
- Baha'is Center of Louisville, 3808 Bardstown Rd.
- Highland Presbyterian Church, 1011 Cherokee Rd.
- Forest Baptist Church, 4500 Petersburg Rd.
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