Samaritans and Community Response to Boston Marathon Bombings April 15, 2013 Nashville, TN October 2014

What Happened? Two pressure cooker bombs exploded during the Boston Marathon at 2:49 pm EDT 3 people died that day, 1 police officer on April others were injured The bombs exploded about 12 seconds and 210 yards apart, near the finish line on Boylston Street. Samaritans had 15 charity runners in the race Samaritans office is less than 1 mile from the bombing site

Samaritans Response Because of a planned post marathon celebration volunteers were already set up with phones from home Regular volunteers resumed shifts Monday night Thursday April 18 th overnight volunteers caught in “shelter in place” Samaritans sees a 20% spike in call demand On site support to foreign students at Pine Manor College

What we Heard on the Phone Was across the street from the bombings. Can’t sleep. Depressed about events. Had friend with store near bombings Veteran, just started to feel safe, then bombings Knows the family of the boy killed. Scared about yesterday and having flashbacks Nurse at trauma center, upset about the bombings.

Community Response

Stay Strong Boston Help is available! Call Samaritans 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They are always available and always confidential, offering you a unique, human kind of help. Samaritans Greater Boston: Samaritans MetroWest: Samaritans State-wide Toll-Free: HOPE Mass211: Dial or go to for local referrals. SAMHSA: You can also find treatment services at SAMHSA's Treatment Locator: Taking Care of Yourself After a Disaster: Anyone experiencing distress has a free resource for emotional support 24/7 by calling the nationwide Disaster Distress Helpline at or texting "TalkWithUs" to Both are funded by the federal mental health agency. All calls are confidential. More information is available online at Disaster Distress Helpline.Disaster Distress Helpline. Visit the American Red Cross website for resources for recovering emotionally.American Red Cross website

Signs of Stress Related to Disaster Eating or sleeping too much or too little Pulling away from people or things Having low or no energy Feeling numb or like nothing matters Having unexplained aches and pains Feeling helpless or hopeless Smoking, drinking or using drugs more than you should

Signs of Stress Related to Disaster Feeling unusually confused or forgetful; or upset; or worried and scared Yelling or fighting with family and friends Having thoughts and memories you can’t get out of your head Thinking of hurting or killing yourself or someone else Unable to perform daily tasks like taking care of your kids or getting to work or school

One Year Later – 2014 Marathon 36,000 registered participants – second highest ever 1 million people lined the route – double the number of spectators in 2013 One Fund Boston has raised $71.3 million Samaritans had 24 runners and raised over $250,000

Images of Boston to leave with you