b'14RAPPORT | Feature StoryI grew up in a code of silence, and it was a very lonely and isolating experience. When I watch events, like the January 6th insurrection or other domestic terrorist acts, I see how quickly society villainizes the attackers, and rightly so, but with that comes tremendous family shame, she said. When I was a child, I wish I could have talked to someone, a school counselor or nurse, who I could speak to that would not judge me because of my fathers actions.Mental health professionals can play a role in helping to curb extremist views, and in supporting the people who themselves are victims of a family members actions or ideology. I think there also needs to be some external reality check for kids who are exposed to extremism at home to help them develop some agency over their own lives and a sense of what is healthy adult behavior, Dr. Sara OrozcoOrozco said. Having a volatile parent exalted bythe community can be as damaging as having thatoutreach, placing signs in health care centers, public parent shunned. transportation, or other visible places, offering Opening the conversation so that people know whatsupport to family members, the way they do for to look for and where to turn is also key.Domestic Violence, Orozco said. Extremism is a Nowadays, there are support groups for thepublic health crisis, and it should be treatedfamily members and ex-extremists; it is a matter ofas such. Extremism: What Can Mental Health Professionals Do?arrow-rightMental Health workers are critical to shapingand triggering as it might be to hear opposingattitudes and reinforcing positive behaviors gearedpolitical views. towards non-violence and building resilience inarrow-rightMental Health workers are influential community clients to prevent the radicalization process if members and can use their voice to educate people such risk exists. about the impacts of extremist behaviors on families arrow-rightMental Health workers should screen clientsto help reduce stigmatization, shame, and judgment as part of their intake, if they or someone in theirfamily members feel because of another family family is or has ever been involved in extremistsmembers actions.behaviors or beliefs. arrow-rightParents for Peace offers a HelpLine 844-49-PEACE arrow-rightIt is vital that the therapist remain nonpartisan(844-487-3223) and Trauma Recovery Program.and watch their counter-transference, as complexLearn more by visiting parents4peace.org.'