Finding Peace and Healing After Community Trauma in Orem, Utah

Mourning as a Community

Veritas Mental Health joins our nation in mourning Charlie Kirk. His tragic death reminds us of how fragile life is and how deeply violence wounds families, communities, and hearts. Our prayers are with the Kirk family, especially his young children.

At times like these, Orem and the greater Utah Valley community feel the weight of loss together. Many of us search for meaning, comfort, and a way forward. While grief can overwhelm, it can also invite us to ask: How can I make the world better, starting here and now?

The Power of Love Over Hate

In our work supporting individuals through trauma, we have seen that anger and vengeance rarely bring lasting peace. They often deepen wounds. True healing comes through compassion, connection, and love.

Martin Luther King Jr. put it best: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

Choosing love doesn’t mean ignoring pain. It means holding onto hope even when life feels unbearable.

Coping With Overwhelming Emotions

Strong feelings—fear, anger, hopelessness—are normal after tragedy. But intense emotions can push us toward destructive choices. One skill that can help is opposite action:

• When you feel angry, instead of lashing out, try offering kindness—a smile, a small act of service.

• When fear makes you want to hide, take a short walk in your neighborhood and greet those you pass.

• When you feel hopeless, channel that energy into peaceful change—attend a vigil, call a representative, or join a local group that builds up the community.

  
  

Doing the opposite of what our raw emotions push us toward can create surprising moments of relief and connection.

Where Do We Go From Here?

Last week’s events have shaken our entire valley. The pain is real. But pain can be transformed. We can take what hurts and use it to make change in our own lives, our families, and our communities.

At Veritas Mental Health, we believe healing involves both comfort and growth. Solace, soothing, and hope matter—bu

t so does the courage to rebuild. You don’t have to do this alone.

A Gentle Next Step

If you or your loved ones at UVU, in Orem, or anywhere in Utah County are struggling in the aftermath of this tragedy, we are here for you.

Call Veritas Mental Health today to schedule a confidential appointment. Together, we can find light in the dark, peace in the pain, and a path forward—one step at a time.