Experts talk mental health after terror attack in Palm Springs
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – In the aftermath of the terror attack in Palm Springs, experts are weighing in on how you can keep your mental health in check.
Research shows generally, experiencing a traumatic event leads to increased rates of acute stress disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depression, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and substance use disorder.
Palm Springs Unified School District says it is taking steps to keep its students, families, and staff safe:
"In an abundance of caution, we will have extra security patrols and all administrators on high alert in the coming days. If you have any individual concerns or your child is in need of additional support, please reach out to your principal. Counselors will be available to any students in need of services."
Dr. Tony Signoret, PSUSD Superintendent
The district says no changes have been made to its schedule.
Mental health experts, like Carolina Vasquez, the Executive Director of Desert Insight in Cathedral City, says they're starting to see clients asking for guidance following the bombing.
"Any time you attach the word terror or terrorism, ... it sends panic into any of us that are viewing it. I mean, especially seeing our own community here on the national news," Vasquez explains. "Even just on the outside of my therapist hat – as a person – when all of that happened, I thought to myself, 'Is it safe for me to go places?'"
Vasquez says there are warning signs to look out for as valley residents move forward from this frightening event.
"If [your reaction is] escalating to panic attacks or, ... It's inhibiting, you know, how you do work, how you do life, how you do relationships that it might be a good time to to look for help," she cautions.
Some ways for you to keep your mental health in check: communicate with your support system (family, friends, church groups, and the like). "The people that usually are affected most are the people without support that are feel that they're without support," she says. Also, you can go on a "social media diet" to help manage the information you're taking in. Practicing self-grounding can also help you stay mentally healthy.
Looking ahead, Vasquez has an optimistic outlook as Palm Springs rebuilds: "I always try to remind people that just, you know, just like bad things happen, good things also happen. And again, this could be an opportunity for us to come together."
The City of Palm Springs also added mental health resources to its engagepalmsprings.com webpage, which has been used to log updates for the Palm Springs attack. According to the website, the LGBTQ Center of the Desert will be hosting several group therapy sessions in the coming days:
- Wednesday, May 21: 2:00 p.m.
- Friday, May 23: 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, May 27: 4:00 p.m.
- Thursday, May 29: 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
