Nation Reels as Back-to-Back Shootings in utah and Texas Trigger Widespread Trauma
September 12, 2025 – The United States is grappling with collective trauma following two separate shootings that unfolded within minutes of each other on Thursday, leaving communities in Utah and Texas reeling.The incidents, occurring at a university and a political rally respectively, have reignited the national conversation around gun violence, political polarization, and the psychological impact of repeated exposure to mass casualty events.
The first shooting occurred at Utah Valley University, followed almost instantly by an attack during a rally featuring conservative speaker Charlie Kirk in Texas. Details surrounding the Texas shooting, including the identity of the shooter and specific circumstances, are still emerging. The Utah shooting prompted an immediate and visible response, with a makeshift memorial quickly forming on campus, as captured by Getty Images News.
Arash Javanbakht, MD, a psychiatrist and author of “afraid: Understanding the Purpose of Fear and Harnessing the Power of Anxiety,” explains that these events are not isolated incidents but rather symptoms of a deeply fractured society. ”The combination of toxic politics, a media economy built on fear and outrage, and social media algorithms have brought Americans to a place where half of the population believes the other half is either stupid or evil,” he writes. “Demonizing or attempting to eliminate those who think differently – literally or symbolically – has become a perilous norm.”
Javanbakht emphasizes the need for a national reckoning. “Events like these should be a wake-up call before it is too late,a stark agreement that as Americans we still share far more than we differ.” He suggests channeling collective grief and frustration into concrete actions,including advocating for safer gun laws,fostering constructive dialog,and holding lawmakers accountable.
The psychological toll extends far beyond those directly affected. Research, including a study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, demonstrates that prolonged exposure to media coverage of traumatic events can lead to heightened stress levels. Javanbakht advises limiting news consumption to a few times a day, avoiding repetitive coverage and graphic imagery. “The news cycle tends to report the same stories without much additional facts,” he notes.
This latest wave of violence builds upon a pattern of mass shootings that have left lasting emotional and mental scars on survivors,first responders,and millions of others. As the nation mourns, experts urge a focus on community support, advocacy for change, and prioritizing mental well-being in the face of ongoing trauma.
