WellPower offers coping tips for difficult anniversaries as 9/11 reaches 25 years

As the nation marks 25 years since the 9/11 attacks, WellPower is urging people to prepare for trauma anniversaries that can trigger anxiety, sadness and other unexpected reactions. The Denver mental health center says planning ahead, limiting distressing media and reaching out for support can help people cope.

Why it matters: - Trauma anniversaries can bring back intense emotions, sleep problems and physical reactions long after the original event. - The effects are not limited to people directly involved in a tragedy. Shared events such as 9/11 can affect families, communities and even people who were not there. - WellPower says simple planning and support can reduce distress and help people stay grounded.

What happened: - WellPower shared coping guidance on Sept. 10, 2026, as the U.S. marked 25 years since the 9/11 attacks. - The Denver-based mental health center said trauma anniversaries can surface painful memories tied to deaths, accidents, natural disasters, violence and other traumatic events. - Casey Wolf, WellPower’s interim chief medical officer, said anniversaries can feel “disorienting and intense” and that there is no right or wrong way to experience them.

The details: - WellPower said common reactions can include anxiety, sadness, irritability, nightmares, trouble sleeping, trouble concentrating and withdrawing from others. - Some people may also experience vivid physical memories linked to sights, sounds and feelings of pain. - WellPower recommends acknowledging that any reaction is valid, including feeling sad, angry, distracted, “off” or nothing at all. - The center advises people to anticipate difficult dates and make room for support, fewer demands, familiar routines or grounding activities. - WellPower says remembrance can be helpful when it is intentional, such as sharing memories, visiting a meaningful place, joining a community event, helping others or creating a personal ritual. - The center warns against “doom scrolling” and says repeated exposure to traumatic news and social media can worsen distress. - WellPower says people should notice whether news consumption is affecting mood, sleep or a sense of safety. - The guidance also encourages people to check in on friends or family members who may be struggling around an anniversary. - WellPower says a simple text or phone call can help, and people should offer to plan ahead together. - The center says people should seek professional help if distress persists or starts affecting sleep, relationships, work or daily life. - Wolf said asking for help is a form of self-care, not a sign of failure. - WellPower said the Mental Health Crisis Hotline is 9-8-8. - The center said appointments can be scheduled at WellPower's appointment page.

Between the lines: - The guidance reflects a broader mental health message: anniversaries can reopen emotional wounds even when the original event happened years ago. - Wolf said healing does not follow a calendar, and difficult dates can also become moments to recognize progress and connect with others. - The 9/11 anniversary is a shared national event, but WellPower said other trauma anniversaries are often deeply personal.

What's next: - WellPower is directing people who are struggling to use peer support, professional care or the 9-8-8 crisis line. - The center said people in Colorado can seek care through its appointment system if symptoms are interfering with daily life.

The bottom line: - WellPower’s message is simple: prepare for hard dates, limit exposure to triggering content, and reach out early if a trauma anniversary starts to overwhelm you.