Shootings are a reality in our world today, and it is important that we know how to protect ourselves and act if we find ourselves in a dangerous situation. We will provide you with some useful tips and tools to help you act in an emergency.
The first thing you should do in the event of a shooting is find a safe place to take shelter. If you are in a building, find a room that has a locked door and barricade the door with any heavy objects you can find. If there is no room available, find a place where you can hide and take cover, such as behind a counter or a solid wall. Stay calm and try not to make noise.
If you are outdoors, seek shelter behind a solid object, such as a wall or vehicle, and try to maintain a safe distance from the shooter. If possible, call the police and give them information about the location and description of the shooter. If you can't talk, send a text message or use the emergency chat feature if available in your area.
Remember that it is completely normal in these cases to feel fear, anguish and/or panic, try to practice breathing and stay calm, concentrate on finding a place to be safe.
Once you are safe, it is important to seek psychological help if you feel emotionally affected by the incident. Any type of violence can cause trauma and post-traumatic stress, and it is important to seek support to process your emotions and recover from the experience. Seek therapy with a mental health professional who has experience in trauma and post-traumatic stress.
We hope these tips have been useful to you and help you be prepared in the event of a shooting situation. Remember that safety is everyone's responsibility, and it is important to be informed and prepared to face any emergency situation.
Emergency numbers:
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
211 Texas Health and Human Services Commission
(972) 695 3421 Psychological Therapy
Ana Marcela Rodríguez is a family and couples therapist, founder of Therapy Works Counseling.
In addition, she is a guest expert on mental health on international television networks such as Univision, Estrella TV and Telemundo.
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