Dealing with Community Violence

Civil unrest and violence in our communities take a toll on our emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. The toll can be particularly heavy when unrest and violence spill into work.

Community violence may cause you to experience a variety of emotions, including shock, grief, numbness, fear, or anger. Follow the guidance below to deal with these emotions.

Guidance for all

If you notice community violence taking a toll on your emotions or well-being, consider the following.

• Acknowledge your thoughts and emotions. It is common to experience a wide range of emotions following a violent event. Avoid self-talk about what you “should” be feeling.
• Identify and attend to the things in your scope of influence. Focus on the things you can impact most directly and positively.
• Set boundaries for social media and news consumption. Staying informed can be important, but make sure to avoid overexposure.
• Connect with your community members.
• Minimize toxic interactions.
• Eat healthy foods.
• Get sleep.
• Be physically active, within the scope of your abilities.
• Practice mindfulness through methods like meditation or breathing exercises. 
• Engage with pets and be out in nature more often.
• Seek out and use supportive resources.

Guidance for supervisors, managers, & HR staff

If violence in your community is affecting your employees, consider the following.

• Acknowledge the event.
• Acknowledge the pain employees might be experiencing.
• Offer and demonstrate flexibility with work schedules and deadlines.
• Create a space for open and safe dialogue.
• Ask, “How can I support you?”
• Listen.
• Provide support and resources.
• Request an HR & manager consultation.

Guidance for targets or witnesses of violence

If you become the target of or a witness to violence, consider the below suggestions for the moments immediately after the incident and in the days that follow.

• Get medical help if needed.
• Document the details of the incident.
• Report the incident.
• Get emotional or psychological support.