On Vancouver Island the response to Tuesday’s mass shooting in Texas mirrors the sadness, horror and outrage being felt around the world.
For some, it brings back trauma they’ve tried so hard to let go of.
“I kind of put myself in the shoes of each new case I see, I know my point of view from it and just how awful, I wouldn’t wish that on anyone,” says Sheldon Mack, a victim of the 2017 Las Vegas shooting.
Sheldon Mack was among the crowd at the 2017 Route 91 Harvest Music Festival when a man opened fire, killing 60 and wounding hundreds more, including Mack.
Sheldon Mack (centre), was injured in the 2017 Las Vegas shooting. (Submitted photo)
“Online you see celebrity gossip, NBA trade rumours, mass shootings and you kind of just keep scrolling and it is what it is, and it shouldn’t be the new norm, we shouldn’t be numb to this anymore,” adds Mack.
So far this year, there has been an average of more than one mass shooting every day in the United States, with Tuesday’s being labelled the deadliest school shooting in the state of Texas’ history.
“Those kids’ were in fourth grade, they had their whole lives. You know, it’s absolutely shocking when children die needlessly,” says Dr. Bonnie Leadbeater, professor of psychology at the University of Victoria.
Even though it’s happening across the border, Leadbeater is suggesting that it’s not too early to start talking about tragedy with your children.
“It’s important for them to be able to talk about their fears, to be able to say this is scary for me. To try not to ignore what they’re talking about, really taking it seriously and talking it through,” says Leadbeater.
She also suggests limiting television viewing of these events, reviewing safety procedures and reassuring them they are safe.
“It’s really a matter of helping kids understand that this is horrendous but very, very rare, fortunately, and to make them feel like we do everything we can to keep them safe,” adds Leadbeater.
Tuesday’s events in Uvalde are just another example of how actions south of the border have not only shattered an entire community there, but around the world.
Hannah Lepine
