‘Not again’ is a feeling thousands felt when learning and seeing another tragedy unfold in Parkland, Florida on Wednesday, Feb. 14.  

The frustration, sadness and lack of understanding for why it happened are overwhelming feelings. But the urge to just block it all out needs to be avoided, according to Kristin Page, Ph. D.

“So often we put up those defenses and it’s a natural way of protecting ourselves from what is going on around us,” said Page, Webster University professor of counseling. “But what we want to do, is eventually let those feelings pass for what they are. So don’t try to suppress them. But rather, embrace them and honor them for what they are. It helps us down the road.”

Page is a licensed mental health counselor. She said it’s important to talk and not to isolate ourselves after watching a tragedy like this on the news. 

“We want to come together as a community and talk to our friends, our family, our partner. We want to talk about what our thoughts and feelings are,” said Page.

One group that parents should engage with are their children, even if the natural instinct is to shield them.

“So a good place to start is by first asking our kids, what they are thinking and what they are feeling. That way we are not oversharing or under sharing, but rather meeting our kids where they are at,” said Page.

For people not directly affected, time should help heal. But if you or your children continue to struggle, seek out help from a mental health professional.