Mental health experts have stated that witnesses and survivors of gruesome killings are at risk of anxiety and depression, and therefore require therapy to navigate the complex and traumatic experience.
They also noted that persons who repeatedly watch videos of shootings and violent happenings could suffer acute trauma, consequently leading to substance abuse.
The psychologists urged survivors and witnesses to undergo therapy and receive counselling from mental health experts to help them heal from the trauma caused by the event.
The American Psychological Association also highlights counselling, safe communication with children, and mental health support for survivors and witnesses of killings.
In September, about 15 vigilantes and hunters were killed when gunmen invaded the Oke-Ode Community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State. In June, over 200 people were killed in the Yelwata area of Benue State, leaving hospitals and medical personnel overwhelmed with taking care of the wounded.
One of the survivors of the Kwara attack, Mrs Gbemisola Muhammed, also known as Yéyé Oge, the widow of a slain hunter, told The PUNCH she considered suicide after losing her husband and relatives to the attack.
Although videos of killings circulating on the internet are not new, the recent rise in gruesome incidents within and outside the country, with clips often shared widely online, emphasises the need for mental health awareness and care, experts say.
The recent viral circulation of graphic videos showing the fatal shooting of American conservative activist Charlie Kirk further highlights the hidden dangers of repeatedly watching such footage and the need for mental health care.
Kirk, 31, was fatally shot on September 10, 2025, while delivering a lecture at Utah Valley University in the United States.
The disturbing video of the incident, which captured the exact moment of impact, quickly flooded social media platforms.
The psychologists cautioned that replaying violent clips and constant exposure to such distressing scenes can lead to trauma, anxiety, emotional numbness or depression.
Speaking with PUNCH Healthwise, a clinical psychologist, Dr Afolabi Aroyewun, has warned that repeatedly watching violent videos, including shootings, can trigger acute trauma, depression, anxiety, substance abuse and even suicidal thoughts among viewers.
Aroyewun, a senior lecturer at the Department of Psychology, University of Lagos, Akoka, said both direct witnesses and those who view such clips are at risk of “acute psychological trauma” with far-reaching consequences.
He said, “Watching someone shoot another person and seeing the victim drop dead triggers acute trauma. It can lead to survivor’s guilt, hypervigilance, emotional detachment, over-processing of the event, and ultimately depression or anxiety. Some viewers may turn to substance abuse to cope with the unresolved trauma, while others develop suicidal ideation.”
The psychologist added that research abroad has shown a 25–30 per cent spike in the use of antidepressants after school shootings, underlining how violence leaves deep psychological scars on communities.
“Young people who have watched such violence often feel unsafe and hopeless,” he said.
Aroyewun further noted that beyond mental health impacts, repeated exposure to graphic violence could affect school performance and life outcomes.
“You start to see increased absenteeism, school dropouts, and poor academic results. Some of these young people end up struggling to maintain jobs or earn decent wages because their education has been disrupted,” he said.
He warned that entire communities also suffer collective trauma, grief, fear and mistrust when violence becomes frequent or widely shared online.
The psychologist urged families and communities to “come out clean” about the emotional and behavioural changes they notice in loved ones exposed to violent events or content to ensure they get the needed help.
“In this part of the world, we don’t see mental health issues as a serious issue. That’s because in Africa, anything we do not understand, we claim to be spiritual. So that’s the issue, but this time around, we need to come out clean for us to get the proper help,” he said.
Also, the Head of Clinical Psychology at Intersect Consortium, Dr Alexander Agara, emphasised the need for counselling for survivors.
“Some people have strong coping skills, and some don’t, but the truth is, they need therapy. If they have adequate psychotherapy, that would at least help prevent flashbacks of the traumatic experiences they have had.
“This would help to stabilise them and prevent it from leading to post-traumatic stress disorder,” Agara said.
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