An Electronic Mental Health Newsletter from Joel I. Kimmel, Ph.D., P.A. & Associates Volume 20, Number 2
Today marks the eighth anniversary of the tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
As we pause to remember the seventeen lives lost, I am sharing an edited reflection written six days after the shooting. While life in Parkland has made meaningful strides forward and important lessons have been learned, anniversaries often stir powerful emotions and memories. Taking time to reflect honors those who were lost and supports continued healing within our community.
Originally written February 20, 2018
I have practiced as a psychologist in this community for more than forty years. Over that time, I have worked with thousands of individuals facing a wide range of challenges. My experience has included drug rehabilitation programs, child protection teams, crisis intervention, and supporting victims of robberies and sudden workplace deaths.
Yet nothing has been as profoundly disruptive to individuals and to this community as the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. This tragedy is deeply personal, not only for me, but for everyone who lives, works, grew up here, or is connected to someone who does.
Events of this magnitude overwhelm our usual coping abilities. They pierce our sense of safety and stability. In their wake, we may feel powerless, frightened, angry, numb, or in disbelief. We struggle to make sense of something that feels senseless.
In a close-knit community like ours, everyone is touched in some way. We share the same schools, parks, restaurants, houses of worship, and neighborhoods. What happened here reverberated across every corner of our town.
Young people were left with traumatic memories from that Valentine’s Day. Memories no teenager should have to carry. Many felt anger that they were not protected, anger that warning signs were missed, anger about systemic failures, and anger about broader issues surrounding safety and mental health.
Parents and families carried their own grief and outrage. They entrusted society to protect their children, and that trust was shaken. The question of “How could this happen here?” echoed throughout the community.
Healing from trauma takes time. A “new normal” does not emerge overnight, and life cannot simply return to what it was. Meaningful change must follow. Honoring the seventeen lives lost may involve advocacy, community engagement, supporting causes important to them, or finding personal ways to carry their values forward.
From a psychological perspective, trauma recovery requires restoring a sense of safety, expressing anger constructively, and rebuilding routines that provide structure and predictability. Feelings of guilt, depression, anxiety, and grief are common and, when needed, are best addressed with the support of a trained mental health professional.
For parents, several actions can be especially helpful:
- Talk with your children—and listen even more than you speak.
- Reassure them that home remains a safe and secure place.
- Monitor for changes in sleep, appetite, mood, school performance, or behavior.
- Limit repeated exposure to news and social media coverage, which can intensify distress.
- Be patient with yourself and with others.
- Recognize that children observe how adults cope; your responses model resilience and regulation.
With time, support, and community connection, healing does occur. We are changed by such events, but change can also bring growth. When communities come together with compassion, respect, and care for one another, they often emerge stronger.
No one here was untouched by this tragedy. Yet together, we can continue building a community defined not only by what happened, but by how we responded with empathy, courage, and commitment to one another.
Update
Time does provide healing, even as memories remain vivid. Many students from Douglas have graduated from college and moved forward into meaningful lives. While much progress has been made, remembrance remains essential. As George Santayana wrote” Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.
On this anniversary, may we honor the lives lost by remembering, by supporting one another, and by continuing the work of building a safer and more compassionate community.
Till March…
The information provided in this electronic newsletter is not a substitute for professional treatment. It is the opinions of the writers and is provided solely for educational purposes. For mental health care, seek a qualified professional.
If you find this information helpful, please feel free to share it with others.
© 2025 Joel I. Kimmel, Ph.D., P.A. and Associates
