People living in areas where acts of civil unrest are planned to take place may feel anxious or fearful. Tips to remain safe include staying informed about the situation and planning safe exit routes.

Anxiety is a natural response to uncertainty and potential threats to a person’s safety, including the possibility of civil unrest.

This article explores what civil unrest is, tips to prepare for when it happens, and how to manage anxiety relating to civil unrest.

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According to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, “civil unrest” is an umbrella term for which the United Nations has no exact definition. The term can encompass both violent and non-violent group acts that tend to take place in times of peace.

Examples of these acts may include:

  • protests
  • demonstrations
  • riots
  • acts of terrorism
  • individual assassinations

While a group of people engaging in peaceful protests may have no or minimal effects on a person’s daily activities, individuals taking part in a violent riot may cause injuries and even death to others.

Why do people engage in civil unrest?

Individuals across the political spectrum may engage in civil unrest. A person may choose to engage in an act of civil unrest for many reasons, such as:

  • raising awareness about or calling for action on causes such as climate change
  • resisting against government policies, such as those that target minority groups such as the LGBTQIA+ community
  • reacting to a recent event, such as a crime or an environmental disaster

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Office of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) states that people can help stay safe from civil unrest by:

  • Staying informed: In many cases, large-scale demonstrations undergo planning days or weeks in advance. By keeping updated with the news, people can plan when to avoid certain areas or take extra precautions, especially if they think there may be a risk to their safety.
  • Making a plan: In the event of an emergency, people may want to consider potential evacuation routes from their homes. They may also consider purchasing a first aid kit and learning some basic self-defense tips.
  • Staying alert: Demonstrations may sometimes occur with little or no notice. In extreme cases, they may turn violent. If a person is suddenly surrounded by a crowd, they can minimize the risk of confrontation by keeping their head down and moving with the flow of people.
  • Sticking together: If a person is with loved ones, they should hold hands or lock elbows. They should also pick up any children in their care, so there is no danger of them being trampled. If a person is alone, they can share their location with loved ones when it is safe.
  • Seeking an escape route: While remaining calm and keeping a low profile, people can look for an opening to walk away from the crowd and avoid running.
  • Seeking shelter: A person should look for a doorway, a side street, an alley, or a safe building in which to shelter. Ideally, people should find a safe, enclosed area, such as a building. They should stay away from windows and doors and try to find a sheltered room. Additionally, they should identify any exits if they need to leave in a hurry.
  • Leave the area: When the crowd has passed, people should leave the area, moving in the opposite direction to the crowd. If they encounter police, they should try to keep their hands visible and empty.

In addition to the tips above, the EMS recommends that people access as many resources as possible to keep updated as events unfold. While social media sources can be useful for accessing a rapid coverage of events, they can also be a less accurate source of information than established media sources.

Staying safe from an active shooter

According to Amnesty International, the vast majority of gun violence occurs outside armed conflict settings. This may include during times of political uncertainty. Amnesty International also notes that, in the United States, there has been a rise in mass shootings.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security offers the following tips for what to do when an active shooter is in a person’s vicinity:

  1. Evacuate: If there is an accessible escape path, people should attempt to evacuate the premises. When they are safe, they should call 911.
  2. Cover and hide: If evacuating is not possible, a person should find a place to hide away from the active shooter’s view. Ideally, they should find a room with a lockable door to hide in, but large objects, such as desks, may also provide cover. They should silence any mobile devices and turn off other sources of noise while remaining quiet.
  3. Remain calm: If a person cannot evacuate or hide, they should try to remain calm and call 911 if possible. If a person is not able to speak, they should leave the line open and allow the dispatcher to listen.
  4. Take action: As a last resort, and only if a person’s life is in imminent danger, they can attempt to disrupt or incapacitate the active shooter. For example, they can act as aggressively as possible against the active shooter by throwing items or yelling.

People may be able to adapt some of the tips above to respond to other types of mass violence.

People need to remember that anxiety is a natural response to uncertainty and potential threats to their safety.

However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that if someone experiences persistent worrying for 6 months or more and is difficult to control, they may have an anxiety disorder. If this is the case, they need to contact a healthcare professional who can recommend appropriate treatment.

Some quick tips for managing anxiety include:

  • taking 5 minutes to take a deep breath and relax
  • connecting with loved ones
  • engaging in physical activity, such as walking or stretching
  • taking a break from the news and social media — if someone feels anxious about current events but wants to remain informed, they could compromise by only checking these sources once per day, for example

In times of political uncertainty, people may also feel safer after taking a self-defense class.

If a person has witnessed a violent act of civil unrest or experienced other traumatic events, they can also consider speaking with a mental health professional.

Mental health resources

Visit our dedicated hub for more research-backed information and resources on mental health and well-being.

People may use the term “civil unrest” to encompass both violent and non-violent group acts that tend to take place in times of peace. These acts may range from peaceful protests to violent riots and acts of terrorism.

A person can take steps to stay safe in the event of violent civil unrest, such as staying informed, staying together with their loved ones, and planning safe escape routes.

Anxiety is a natural response to uncertainty and potential threats to a person’s safety, including the possibility of civil unrest. However, people need to contact a healthcare professional if their anxiety is persistent and difficult to manage.