On behalf of the AAMFT Board of Directors and staff, we add our voices of support to those affected by the shooting in Uvalde, Texas that took the lives of 19 children and two adults simply attending and teaching at elementary school in their small Latino community. We must stand together and demonstrate compassion and empathy during times that can overwhelm and challenge our fundamental values.
When tragedies occur, even if we are not directly affected, there is a systemic impact that can affect anyone. In the coming days, we know that many of our members and their clients will be struggling with processing these events or explaining the news of recent weeks to their children. As shootings sadly continue throughout the United States with few preventative measures, a new traumatic event may prompt mental health support to be deployed in places where violence has already impacted communities. We once again must put forward our skills as relational therapists to help those who are impacted by these threats to our sense of safety, recognizing both the immediate and long-term adverse effects that events like these have.
Just ten days ago, another shooting targeted and took the lives of ten Black residents of Buffalo, New York. This racist act of domestic terrorism traumatizes not only this community with life-threatening violence, but Black communities everywhere with white supremacist ideology adverse to their livelihood and well-being.
Marriage and family therapists are uniquely positioned to understand and recognize the systemic effect that oppression, inequity, and overt and covert racism have on individuals in marginalized communities and have a role in fostering healing and growth. Therefore, AAMFT stands in support of our members dedicated to advancing the fundamental rights, health, safety, and well-being of all individuals, relationships, and communities. As an organization, we will continue to advocate against societal inequalities and seek solutions in our clinical, research, community, and policy work to ensure that change is occurring.
As we have shared far too many times before, the resources below have been created by member MFTs or compiled by AAMFT to help support this process.
- Disastershock – How to Cope with the Emotional Stress of a Major Disaster
- Supporting Children Through Their Grief Journey
- How the Death of a Child Can Impact a Marriage
- Racial Justice Resources for MFTs
- Tips for Parenting During Times of Crisis
To share a resource with our community of MFTs, please contact us.