WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Tuesday’s deadly stabbing at North Forsyth High School has left the community grappling with emotions ranging from deep sadness to rising anger. Mental-health experts say those reactions are normal, but warn that letting them sit unchecked can be harmful.
Clinical counselor Dr. Nannette Funderburk says acknowledging difficult emotions is the first step toward healing. “Yes, it’s normal to feel sad. Yes, it’s normal to feel anger. Yes, it’s normal to feel all those types of things,” Funderburk said.
She notes that whether you’re a parent, teacher, or student, bottling up emotions after a traumatic event can intensify the pain rather than ease it. “Even if the feeling is numbness, acknowledge that, and then start to dump that out,” she said…