- Allow yourself to be shocked and to feel grief, but try to do this in constructive ways. Avoid the urge to act out in anger or fear. Instead, do something positive, like donate blood, sign an organ donor card, volunteer to help with relief, or pray.
If you are too young to give blood, you can still volunteer to help out with relief efforts, organizing donations, assist at donation centers, or offering support to distraught peers.
- Although it is very difficult NOT to speculate about who or what organization is responsible for these attacks, do everything you can to avoid looking for scapegoats. At a time like this, poor judgement and racism can prevail and it is essential that we not act out against people who are also innocents. At a time like this Americans of all races and religions are under attack and the nation needs to be pulling together.
- Look for ways to let your feelings out. Turn to a creative outlet; draw pictures, write letters to the editor, write to your favorite web site, write poems to honor the dead, write songs, or post your thoughts to an online bulletin board. If you need to blow off steam, try exercising, punching a pillow, or going for a run.
- Don't forget to cry, scream, or let out the tension that you are sure to be feeling. There is no shame in showing your feelings.
- Lean on your friends and family. Mourn with them. Tell them how you feel. Express your views. Let your thoughts and feelings come out. If you are angry or wanting revenge, this is normal and healthy. Be sure that you do not act out against other innocent people, but it is fine to express your darkest thoughts and feelings in words.
- If you are feeling overwhelmed ask for help. Go to a counsellor, call a crisis line, or talk to your parents and family. You are not alone in your shock and it is important for you to seek a safe and rational way to let your feelings out.
- Try to get back into a normal routine as quickly as possible. Routine is comforting and the sooner you get back to doing "normal" things, the easier it will be for you to gain back a sense of security. Your sense of safety has been seriously compromised and in order to combat the ill effects of this it is very important that you try to "get back to normal" as best you can. It is impossible to feel completely normal at this point, but going along according to your regular routine will help.
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