The Advice I Hope You'll Never Need

Survival after a school shooting can look different for each person. A person may be physically unharmed yet still experience lasting trauma from proximity, lockdown conditions, or exposure to graphic footage shared online. Post-traumatic stress disorder can persist for years. The term “survivor” is used in different ways, including for those injured or in the same room as a shooter, but individual definitions and experiences vary. Gun violence creates ripple effects that extend beyond the immediate incident. Sharing prior experiences can help others feel understood and can also provide personal relief. The goal is to offer comfort and practical guidance to people who relate to these experiences.

"When I was 12, I was sitting outside at the middle school next to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School-a few hundred feet away from where a former student took the lives of 17 people. While outside, I heard gunshots coming from the building and saw first responders rushing to the scene. Almost immediately-while we were still at school under lockdown-I began to see graphic videos of the shooting shared on social media. I subsequently developed post-traumatic stress disorder, which I still suffer from to this day."

"Some people use the word survivor to describe people who were physically injured or in the same room as a shooter, but everyone-including survivors themselves-has wildly different understandings of what it means to "survive" a traumatic event. The reality is that gun violence, especially school shootings, have a ripple effect that c"

"Since I was 13 years old, I've dedicated myself to fighting for the prevention of gun violence. Now I hope that by sharing what I have learned over the past eight years and two school shootings, perhaps even one person will feel less alone. If you are in the unfortunate position of being able to relate to what I went through, I hope these five pieces of advice bring you comfort."

"As my university came together to cope with the tragedy we experienced on December 13, 2025, I noticed that sharing my prior experiences helped my peers feel understood and also made me feel better in the process."

Read at The Atlantic