Due to the recent horrific events at the Boston Marathon Explosions and the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT, children and adults may be experiencing heightened anxiety, especially after our community's distress in the wake of Superstorm Sandy. Below are some resources and links to aid you in discussion with your children, students, etc.

Resources for Parent and Teachers

Coping with the Boston Marathon Explosions & CT School Shooting

http://www.oumedicine.com/docs/ad-psychiatry-workfiles/school_disaster_media_factsheet_2011.pdf?sfvrsn=2

Resources from the National Association of School Psychologists

Coping with Crisis—Helping Children With Special Needs

http://www.nasponline.org/resources/crisis_safety/specpop_general.aspx

Tips for School Personnel and Parents

http://www.nasponline.org/resources/crisis_safety/specpop_general.aspx

Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers

http://www.nasponline.org/resources/crisis_safety/talkingviolence.pdf

A National Tragedy: Helping Children Cope Tips for Parents and Teachers

http://www.nasponline.org/resources/crisis_safety/terror_general.aspx

Resources from The National Child Traumatic Stress Network

Talking to Children about the Shooting

http://www.nctsn.org/sites/default/files/assets/pdfs/talking_to_children_about_the_shooting.pdf

Psychological Impact of the Recent Shooting

http://www.nctsn.org/sites/default/files/assets/pdfs/psychological_information_sheet_two_pager.pdf

Parent Guidelines for Helping Youth after the Recent Shooting

http://www.nctsn.org/sites/default/files/assets/pdfs/parents_guidelines_for_helping_teens_after_the_recent_attacks.pdf

After the Shooting: Helping Young Children Heal

http://www.nctsn.org/sites/default/files/assets/pdfs/helping_young_children_heal_shooting.pdf

Tips for Parents on Media Coverage

http://www.nctsn.org/sites/default/files/assets/pdfs/tips_for_parents_media_final.pdf

Parent Tips for Helping School Aged Children After Disasters

http://www.nctsn.org/sites/default/files/assets/pdfs/appendix_tips_for_parents_with_schoolage_children.pdf

Age Related Reactions to a Traumatic Event

http://www.nctsn.org/sites/default/files/assets/pdfs/age_related_reactions_to_a_traumatic_event.pdf

Resource from PBS

Talking with Kids about the News

http://www.pbs.org/parents/talkingwithkids/news/

http://www.nasponline.org/ National Association of School Psychologists

** Utilize this link for additionial links to resources in helping children in the wake of a crisis

http://www.aboutourkids.org/articles/talking_kids_about_school_violence Utilize this link from the NYU Child Study Center for various articles and links.

_{The link referenced is http://ubhc.umdnj.edu/brti/tlc/guidelines/HelpingChildrenSchoolViolence.htm and is a one page guideline. I’ve also seen good information from other resources. From the National Association of School Psychologists about what parents can do at times like this:}

_{Reassure children that they are safe. Emphasize that schools are very safe. Validate their feelings. Explain that all feelings are okay when a tragedy occurs. Let children talk about their feelings, help put them into perspective, and assist them in expressing these feelings appropriately.}
_{Make time to talk. Let their questions be your guide as to how much information to provide. Be patient. Children and youth do not always talk about their feelings readily.}
_{Keep your explanations developmentally appropriate.}

_{Early elementary school children need brief, simple information that should be balanced with reassurances that their school and homes are safe and that adults are there to protect them.}
_{Upper elementary and early middle school children will be more vocal in asking questions about whether they truly are safe and what is being done at their school. They may need assistance separating reality from fantasy. Discuss efforts of school and community leaders to provide safe schools.}
_{Upper middle school and high school students will have strong and varying opinions about the causes of violence in schools and society. They will share concrete suggestions about how to make school safer and how to prevent tragedies in society. Emphasize the role that students have in maintaining safe schools by following school safety guidelines, communicating any personal safety concerns to school administrators, and accessing support for emotional needs.}

_{Review safety procedures. This should include procedures and safeguards at school and at home. Help children identify at least one adult at school and in the community to whom they go if they feel threatened or at risk.}
_{Observe children’s emotional state. Some children may not express their concerns verbally. Changes in behavior, appetite, and sleep patterns can indicate a child’s level of anxiety or discomfort. In most children, these symptoms will ease with reassurance and time. However, some children may be at risk for more intense reactions. Children who have had a past traumatic experience or personal loss, suffer from depression or other mental illness, or with special needs may be at greater risk for severe reactions than others. Seek the help of mental health professional if you are at all concerned.}
_{Limit television viewing of these events, and be aware if the television is on in common areas. Developmentally inappropriate information can cause anxiety or confusion, particularly in young children. Adults also need to be mindful of the content of conversations that they have with each other in front of children, even teenagers, and limit their exposure to vengeful, hateful, and angry comments that might be misunderstood.}
_{Maintain a normal routine. Keeping to a regular schedule can be reassuring and promote physical health. Ensure that children get plenty of sleep, regular meals, and exercise. Encourage them to keep up with their schoolwork and extracurricular activities, but don’t push them if they seem overwhelmed.}

Karen Bright, LPC

Coordinator, Ocean County Traumatic Loss Coalition

Kimball Medical Center

600 River Avenue

Lakewood, NJ 08701

(732) 886-4474