Trauma in the Workplace: Route 91 Shooting

The Vegas shooting affected so many people; musicians, fans, producers, crew, vendors, bus drivers, hotel owners and exectutives, booking agents, managers, bystanders, hotel doorsmen, security officers, police officers, fire fighters, the list could go on.  The point is that trauma does not pick and choose who it wants to affect.  Trauma crosses all religious, cultural, ecionomic status, political, gender or age differences.  Trauma just traumatizes whoever is in its way.

The Route 91 incident happened in a workplace and a celebratory place.  A concert is a safe place.  A safe place to sing your heart out, a safe place to dance your worries away and a safe place to perform/work fearlessly.  The Vegas shooting robbed many of safety and security.  In a matter of moments what was considered a “vulnerable” place was turned into a violent war zone. This is what trauma does, it robs you of your security.

The aftermath of trauma permeates into all areas of life.  Remember trauma is not discrimatory and travels with the person who has experienced it.  Those affected by the incident may experience “life being sucked” from them or “numb” along with other symptoms that we will address later.  This is what trauma does, it reminds you of how fragile life is, how quickly it can be taken from you.  It takes life from you; physically, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually.

Where do you start when trauma has affected you?

First, remind your yourself that the responses you have towards this traumatic event is normal.  You are normal.

Second, remind yourself that the traumatic event is abnormal.  The event is abnormal, not you.  You and your body are wired to respond to this traumatic inicident.  You are given survival techniques that are hardwired into you: Fight, Flight or Freeze.  These are coping mechanisms that help you survive the traumatic incident.

Third, remind yourself that this is temporary.  The feelings, sensations and thoughts will not always be with you.  Be kind to yourself in understanding that all of these responses are what helped you survive such a terrible trauma.

We will focus on all coping mechanisms that you may encounter recovering from a traumatic event in our next blog.

Written By: Sharon Ball