TOLEDO, Ohio — Gun violence and its far-reaching impact can affect families and communities for years after an incident takes place, often taking a long-lasting mental toll.
But there are organizations looking to help people process the pain.
Sherin Henley is a Toledo mother whose only son, Darrin Smith Jr., was killed in 2010.
She says his life was over before the prime of his life even began. The tragedy has weighed heavy on her mind for over a decade.
"Coping with it is not easy. It actually seems like this just happened yesterday. It's one of those things that, unfortunately, never go away," said Sherin Henley.
But through meeting like-minded members of the community and seeking out the proper resources to begin the healing process, 14 years after the tragedy, Henly is finally ready to share her and her son's story.
"I lost my son when he was 20, April 24th, 2010. He was shot by someone that he actually grew up with in the neighborhood, and that's, and I lost him that day, unfortunately, to gun violence," said Henley.
Henley joined the group Mom's Demand Action just one year ago.
The organization is a national grass-roots effort to battle gun violence in communities throughout the nation.
Prior joining the group, Henley says she held in her thoughts and feelings and didn't want to share her story, but after joining the organization, she found the strength to push ahead.
"It's very devastating to even bring up, even today, and I can say that Mom's Demand Action gave me a lot of strength and wanting me to speak up," said Henley.
There are other resources to deal with trauma too.
Shay Bankston is a Clinical Therapist and the owner of Premier Consulting Toledo.
She's made it her mission to work with families who've been affected by trauma including from gun violence and she says it can be different for each person.
"It doesn't have to be a major catastrophe. It's very unique and individual to that person as to if something is traumatic or not," said Bankston.
Another resource is the Mercy Health Trauma Recover Center in Toledo.
While the impact can last for years, Henley urges parents or others affected by gun violence to get involved in the community and make a positive change.
"Gun violence is one of those, as we have heard, an epidemic, so an epidemic that more people need to stand up and try to help and just be part of to try to make a difference," said Henley.
Experts say when trauma happens families should monitor how they're loved ones are feeling and check on them when possible.
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