Target audience and instructional level of this course: foundational
There is no known conflict of interest or commercial support related to this CE program.
Mental Health Response to Mass Violence and Terrorism
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Course Description
This course aims to provide the reader with the tools for an appropriate mental health response to mass violence
and terrorism. A mass violence event can take many forms but is generally defined as an intentional violent
criminal act that results in physical, emotional, or psychological injury to a large number of people. Mass violence
can manifest itself through terrorist attacks, mass shootings, riots and bioterrorism attacks. For survivors and
witnesses of mass shootings, suffering tends to be particularly severe. Studies have documented that survivors of
mass shootings often suffer from post-traumatic stress Disorder (PTSD), major depression, anxiety disorder and
substance use disorder.
But what are the most effective mental health responses following large-scale traumatic events? It is essential to
understand how and when resilience-building interventions must be carried out, be it at the immediate,
intermediate or long-term aftermath of an event. Information on the major lessons learned in behavioral health
following episodes of mass violence is provided, and related issues are woven into the discussion of strategies for
assisting victims, survivors and the community-at large.
