Healing After the Unthinkable: Mental Health after School Tragedies on Spotify

Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Yvonne DelZenero, sits down with Licensed Clinical Social Worker Jodi Top to discuss the emotional and psychological aftermath of the Evergreen High School shooting. With experience supporting survivors of school violence—including the Arapahoe High School shooting in 2013 and the STEM School Highlands Ranch shooting in 2019—Jodi shares vital insights into trauma, recovery, and the complex process of healing.

Drawing from her direct work with students, families, and communities affected by these tragedies, Jodi offers practical advice and compassionate guidance for parents, educators, and mental health professionals. This conversation aims to bring clarity and support to communities navigating the unthinkable, shedding light on what signs to look for, how to help youth process trauma, and ways to foster long-term resilience.

Medication: Rachel Sabolish, PNP. Find her here.

Therapy:

Yvonne has availability & is an approved clinician by the Jefferson County Victim Compensation board.

Resilience 1220. Find them here.

Deb Rosenberg, PhD. Find her here.

Melissa Shaw, LCSW. Find her here.

Jodi Top, LCSW. Find her here.

Tonya McFarland, PsyD. Find her here.

*Email da.cvc@jeffco.us for an application to receive free therapy from the Crime Victim Compensation Board. Families of victims who witnessed the shooting also qualify for services.

*These are all clinicians who have reported they have experience and availability to work with individuals who have suffered trauma. I cannot personally attest to their expertise. Please request a consult call before scheduling with any of them.

Podcasts & trainings for Educators on school safety & support:

Safe and Sound Schools

Teachers Unify

Articles from the American School Counseling Association. Find them here.

A Guide for Educators (National Center for School Safety). Find it here.

Tip sheet for Educators. Find it here.

Parent Guidelines for Helping Youth After the Recent Shooting. Find it here.

Restoring a Sense of Safety in the Aftermath of a Shooting: Tips for Parents and Professionals. Find it here.

Navigating the trauma and fear caused by school shootings.. Find it here.

Preventing School Shootings. Find it here.

988 Colorado Crisis Hotline, 24/7

For parents, educators, and community members: A non-partisan organization to protect people from gun violence. Find it here.

Books:

My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss

Brave Bart by Caroline H. Sheppard (A book to support traumatized and grieving children).

A Terrible Thing Happened by Margaret M. Holmes (A story for children who have witnessed violence or trauma).

Somatic Exercises For Nervous System Regulation: 35 Beginner – Intermediate Techniques To Reduce Anxiety & Tone Your Vagus Nerve In Under 10 Minutes A Day (Anxiety Relief) by Rose Kilian.

A Mother's Reckoning: Living in the Aftermath of Tragedy is a 2016 memoir by Sue Klebold, the mother of Dylan Klebold. Along with Eric Harris, Dylan was one of the perpetrators of the Columbine High School massacre in 1999.

Columbine: The book covers two major storylines: the killers' evolution leading up to the attack, and the survivors' struggles with the aftermath over the next decade. Chapters alternate between the two stories. Graphic depictions of parts of the attack are included.