How Parkland Survivors Cope With P.T.S.D. After a Second School Shooting.
Meta Description: Survivors of two school shootings describe their path to healing after Parkland. Find out how they cope with PTSD, expert-recommended ways to recover from trauma and what communities can do to help survivors.
Introduction: Twice, the Unthinkable Happened
A gunman shot and killed 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, on Feb. 14, 2018. For many survivors, the trauma from that day never fully went away — but seven years later, some of them had to confront a second unfathomable tragedy: another deadly shooting in their community.
Ongoing trauma compounds symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, which poses specific challenges for those who survive it. This article describes stories from the Parkland community, expert advice on healing and concrete ways to support people who are living with the consequences of repeated violence. What happen that day?
Survivor Stories: ‘I Felt Like the World Wasn’t Safe Anymore’
"Maria” (name changed), resident of Parkland, who was present at both shootings, talks about life in the aftermath of the second tragedy:
“This cannot happen again after 2018,” I thought. But when it happened, I no longer believed anything could save us. Every loud noise — a slamming locker, a car backfiring — sends me into panic mode.”
Maria isn’t alone. Many survivors report:
You will scan your environment constantly for exits or perceived threats; the grocery store, somewhere that we might all agree is “safe,” is no longer free from vigilance.
Survivor’s Guilt: “Why did I survive when others didn’t?”
Triggers: Lockdown drills, news coverage of shootings or even the smell of hand sanitizer (associated with the trauma).
SEO Tip:Embed a piece of art with alt-text created by a survivor: “Art therapy painting by Parkland survivor depicting PTSD healing.” survivor details!
What Is Recurring Trauma, and How It Overwrites Brain Function
As Dr. Rebecca Allen, a trauma psychologist who specializes in mass violence, explains:
“Your brain registers repeated trauma as an established threat: It gets stuck in ‘fight-or-flight.’ Survivors may develop PTSD after the initial shooting. And after a second, their nervous system starts believing that danger is everywhere.”
Key Science:
The amygdala (the brain’s fear center) is hyperactive and sets off a cascade of stress hormones running hither and tither throughout the body.
The prefrontal cortex (the part of the brain for rational thought) shuts down, making it difficult to cool off.
One study in 2023 published in the Journal of Traumatic Stress found that 68% of survivors of school shootings exhibited signs of PTSD even years after the event —and that rates soar after repeat exposure. READ MORE!
The "Double Survivor's" Unique Challenges
Survivors of multiple shootings have layered struggles:
Distrust in Institutions
“Promises were made to us after 2018 — more counselors, safer schools. But it happened again. Who can we trust now?” — Anonymous survivor.
Social Isolation
Friends and family often cannot understand, and they withdraw.
Advocacy vs. Healing
The pressure that survivors face to “be strong” and to spearhead activist movements, even when they’re emotionally spent.
Coping Strategies That Help
Here’s what Parkland’s mental health advocates and therapists suggest:
Trauma-Focused CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
Assists survivors in reframing traumatic memories and decreasing avoidance.
Example exercise: Writing a letter to their former self during the shooting. Explore more!
Peer Support Groups
Local organizations like Rebuild Parkland provide safe spaces in which to share without fear of judgment.
Survivor quote: “Only someone who’s lived through this gets why I can’t stand fireworks.”
Art and Music Therapy
Broward County’s Healing Through Creativity program uses art projects and songwriting to process grief.
Mindfulness for Hypervigilance Mindfulness for Hypervigilance Mindfulness Techniques for Hypervigilance
– 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Technique: 5 things you see, 4 things you feel, 3 things you hear, 2 things you smell, and 1 thing you taste.
Callout Box:
“If You’re Experiencing a Panic Attack Right Now:
As you sit on the floor, press your palms down on the ground.
Sing a song until your breath does not feel so fast.
Repeat: ‘I am here. I am safe.’ ”
What Other Communities Can Do to Support Survivors
1. Advocate for Trauma-Informed Schools
Train teachers to notice PTSD symptoms (e.g., zoning out, irritability).
Replace lockdown drills with low-to-no harassment options (e.g., “safety exercises” without gun or other violent sounds).
Support Community Mental Health Initiatives
Support Parkland nonprofits such as Stand With Parkland or The Rebel Fund.
Share Responsibly
Avoid graphic footage of the shooting, or viral memes. Instead amplify survivor led content.
Policy Shortcomings: “Mental Health Support Is Not Enough if You Don’t Have Prevention”
Though enfants de Parkland’s March for Our Lives propelled the passage of Florida’s Red Flag Law (actually removing guns from, lacuna still exist:
— Underfunded Counseling: Florida averages 1 counselor per 485 students when the American School Counselor Association recommends a limit of 1 counselor per every 250 students.
Armed teachers: Parkland’s “Guardian Program” (a secret effort to arm staff) is controversial; survivors have said, “Guns in schools make us feel less safe.
Conclusion: Resilience Without Romanticization
The survivors of the Parkland shooting are not “heroes” — they are regular people catapulted into exceptional anguish. Their resilience is not in “moving on,” but in constructing a life in which joy and grief live side by side.
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