Help Offered at Coffeehouse Five for People Affected by the Mall Shooting

GREENWOOD, Ind.–You should understand that an event like the Greenwood Park Mall shooting can have an effect on you, even if you weren’t there. Psychotherapist Christine Turo-Shields, tells WISH-TV that addressing trauma early helps people cope better.

Turo-Shields will be at the Coffeehouse Five in Greenwood, Friday at 6 p.m., helping people talk about the shooting, and giving them support tools and resources. Coffeehouse Five offers mental health support and counseling services.

“I use the description of, if this boulder lands in a lake and you’re in close proximity, you may capsize and not recognize the impact that it had. Additionally, people who may not be in close proximity, who may not have been at the mall, but who have had a history of trauma or had a history of mental health issues, may also feel upended,” Turo-Shields told the TV station.

She said symptoms that you’ve been affected include hyper-vigilance, nightmares, flashbacks, sleep disruption, irritability and depression.

She said it’s important to get help early.

“If we do a debriefing early on it can reduce the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder,” said Turo-Shields.

She said that people who were directly affected need to deal with their trauma, of course.

“I really believe that some people don’t understand the impact that it has on them, especially if they weren’t in close proximity.

“But when we have a mass shooting or a critical event, it gives an opportunity for people to come together in a communal healing experience. Recognizing and remembering that we are not alone in this and there there are people to support you…the support that comes from solidarity is really powerful.”