U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Center for Mental Health Services

www.samhsa.gov

	Whether or not you were directly

affected by a traumatic event, it

is normal to feel anxious about

your own safety, to picture the

event in your own mind, and to

wonder how you would react in

an emergency.

	People react in different ways

to trauma. Some may become

irritable or depressed; others lose

sleep or have nightmares; and

others may deny their feelings or

simply “blank out” the troubling

event. There is no “right”

or “wrong” way to feel after

experiencing trauma.

	While it may feel better to

pretend the event did not

happen, in the long run, it is

best to be honest about your

feelings and to allow yourself to

acknowledge the sense of loss and

uncertainty.

	It is important to realize that,

while things may seem off

balance for a while, your life will

return to normal.

	It is important to talk with

someone about your sorrow,

anger, and other emotions, even

though it may be difficult to get

started.

	You may feel most comfortable

talking about your feelings with

a professor, counselor, or church

leader. The important thing is to

share your feelings with someone

you trust. If you don’t have

someone to confide in, call

1-800-273-TALK for someone

who will listen.

•

•

•

•

•

•

	It is common to be angry at

people who have caused great

pain. This desire comes from our

outrage for the innocent victims.

We must understand, though,

that it is futile to respond with

more violence. Nothing good is

accomplished by hateful language

or actions.

	While you will always remember

the event, the painful feelings

will decrease over time, and you

will come to understand that, in

learning to cope with tragedy,

you have become stronger, more

adaptable, and more self-reliant.

•

•

Tips for College Students

In the Wake of Trauma: 

KEN-01-0092

Helpful Resources

National Mental Health Information Center

Toll-Free: 1-800-789-2647 (English and Español)

TDD: 1-866-889-2647	 	 	

Web Site: www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov

National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug 

Information	 	 	 	

Toll-Free: 1-800-729-6686 (English and Español)

TDD: 1-800-487-4889	 	 	

Web Site: www.ncadi.samhsa.gov

Treatment Locators

Mental Health Services Locator	 	 	

Toll-Free: 1-800-789-2647 (English and Español)	

TDD: 1-866-889-2647	 	 	

Web Site: www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/databases

Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator

Toll-Free: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) (24/7 English

and Español)	 	 	 	

TDD: 1-800-487-4889	 	 	

Web Site: www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov

Hotlines

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline	 	

Toll-Free: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)	 	

TTY: 1-800-799-4TTY (4889)		 	

Web Site: www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

Office for Victims of Crime	 	 	

Toll-Free: 1-800-851-3420	 	 	

TTY: 1-877-712-9279	 	 	

Web Site: www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/ovcres/welcome.html

Note: Inclusion of a resource in this fact sheet does not imply 

endorsement by the Center for Mental Health Services, the 

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 

or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 

Tips for Coping

Talk about it. Talking with friends,

classmates, professors, and family

members will help you realize that you are not alone in your feelings.

Limit media viewing. Take breaks

from watching news coverage of the

event.

Take care of yourself. Taking good

physical care of yourself with rest,

exercise, and healthy eating will help

your body to deal with stress. Do

activities that you enjoy and find

relaxing.

Avoid excess. Avoid using alcohol,

drugs, and tobacco products as a way

of dealing with stress.

Resume routines. Getting back to

your daily routines in life can be a

good method for regaining a sense of

control.

Get involved. Engaging in positive

activities like group discussions and

candlelight vigils can help promote

comfort and healing.