Feb 16, 2026
Following the shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, many people across BC and Canada have reported feeling shaken, distracted, or on edge, even if they do not have a direct connection to the community. This is often related to collective grief and to stress responses that can be triggered by learning about public violence.
Collective grief is a shared response to loss or threat experienced by a group, community, or society. It differs from personal grief (the death of someone close to you) because the loss is experienced at a broader level.
Collective grief often involves changes in:
• Sense of safety in everyday places (schools, community spaces)
• Beliefs about risk and security (for example, what feels “possible” where you live)
• Emotional connection to strangers who were harmed
• Community relationships and trust, especially when people are trying to make sense of what happened together
Research on mass trauma and community stress shows that large-scale events can affect people indirectly through social connection, perceived threat, and ongoing exposure to information (Hobfoll et al., 2007).
After a public tragedy, people can experience mental health symptoms even without direct exposure. These can include:
• Anxiety or persistent worry
• Trouble concentrating at school or work
• Sleep disruption, nightmares, or fatigue
• Irritability or a short temper
• Feeling numb or emotionally flat
• Increased alertness in public spaces
• Physical stress symptoms such as tension, headaches, or stomach discomfort
These symptoms are consistent with a stress response. For some people they fade with time. For others they persist or intensify, especially if there is prior trauma, anxiety, depression, or ongoing stress.
Adolescence and emerging adulthood involve major development in emotional regulation, identity, and social belonging (Erikson, 1968; Siegel, 2014). Because schools and peer environments are central during these years, violence connected to youth spaces can raise fear about daily life and disrupt a sense of predictability. Research on youth responses after community violence shows increased risk for anxiety symptoms, fear of public spaces, and distress linked to repeated media exposure (Pfefferbaum et al., 2014).
Ongoing updates, commentary, and graphic descriptions can repeatedly activate the stress response. This does not require hours of scrolling. Short bursts can be enough, especially when posts are shared in group chats or appear repeatedly on social platforms. A practical approach is to set limits on how often you check updates and to avoid rewatching or rereading upsetting material.
Grief is the internal experience of loss. Mourning is the process of expressing, integrating, and adapting to the loss over time.
Mourning can include:
• Attending vigils or memorials
• Participating in faith or cultural rituals
• Talking about what happened with trusted people
• Writing, creating art, or finding other structured ways to express emotion
• Supporting affected communities through practical actions
In collective events, mourning often happens both privately and publicly. Community rituals can help people mark what happened and reduce isolation. Meaning-making is often part of mourning, where people try to understand what the loss means for their lives, values, and relationships (Neimeyer, 2016).
Support strategies that are commonly recommended after community trauma include:
1 Talk with someone you trust
: A friend, parent, teacher, coach, faith leader, or counsellor.
2 Keep routines where possible:
Regular sleep, meals, movement, and school attendance can reduce stress load.
3 Limit exposure to upsetting content:
Set specific times to check news, avoid repetitive viewing.
4 Use grounding activities
: Physical movement, breathing exercises, time outside, or anything that helps your body downshift.
5 Get professional support if symptoms persist:
If sleep, panic, intrusive thoughts, or daily functioning are significantly affected for more than a couple of weeks, it is reasonable to seek counselling support.
Kids Help Phone
: Call 1 800 668 6868 or text CONNECT to 686868
Hope for Wellness (Indigenous Peoples):
Call 1 855 242 3310
Local school counsellors and community mental health services
YouthGrief.ca
If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
