Coping with Tragedy
Coping with Horrific Tragedy
Dealing with horrific tragedy in the news is not something we are ever prepared for. Our kids have questions or deal with fears, and parents deal with fear and worry of their own. To help, SBHI has collected a few articles that deal with the subject of coping from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (http://www.samhsa.gov).
Articles on coping with tragedy and links below…
Samaritan CrisisCare
Samaritan CrisisCare provides the following:
Crisis Counseling, Emergency Walk-ins, Telephone Crisis Intervention and Support, Pre-Hospital Evaluation, Emergency Psychiatric Medication, and Mobile Crisis Intervention
For Emergencies Call: (937) 224-4646
Location: Elizabeth Place, NW Bldg. 1st Floor
601 Edwin C. Moses Blvd.
Dayton, Ohio 45417
Other Services Provided at the Request of School Administrators
I. Crisis Intervention: When a youth is in crisis during the school classroom hours, help can be accessed by calling Samaritan CrisisCare at 224-4646. A clinical therapist will answer the phone and discuss with the caller whether the youth wants to talk to the therapist on the phone, or whether it would be more appropriate and beneficial if a CrisisCare therapist responded via a Crisis mobile. The Crisis Mobile service is when a therapist travels to the site so a face-to-face intervention can take place. This includes de-escalation and stabilization and/or an assessment to determine if hospitalization is indicated.
II. Trauma Crisis Intervention: In the event that the school has experienced a traumatic event which is impacting students and/or faculty, Samaritan CrisisCare will make available therapist/s to provide Crisis Intervention to groups and/or individuals on site. This can be arranged through the Program Director, Ruth Addison (224-1694, X2323) or the shift supervisor
III. Shift Supervisors: CrisisCare provides 24 hour service 7 days per week. The main number is 224-4646, and each shift has a supervisor/charge person.
Helping your children manage distress in the aftermath of a shooting
As a parent, you may be struggling with how to talk with your children about a shooting rampage. It is important to remember that children look to their parents to make them feel safe. This is true no matter what age your children are, be they toddlers, adolescents or even young adults.
Consider the following tips for helping your children manage their distress.
Talk with your child. Talking to your children about their worries and concerns is the first step to help them feel safe and begin to cope with the events occurring around them. What you talk about and how you say it does depend on their age, but all children need to be able to know you are there listening to them.
- Find times when they are most likely to talk: such as when riding in the car, before dinner, or at bedtime.
- Start the conversation; let them know you are interested in them and how they are coping with the information they are getting.
- Listen to their thoughts and point of view; don’t interrupt — allow them to express their ideas and understanding before you respond.
- Express your own opinions and ideas without putting down theirs; acknowledge that it is okay to disagree.
- Remind them you are there for them to provide safety, comfort and support. Give them a hug.
Keep home a safe place. Children, regardless of age, often find home to be a safe haven when the world around them becomes overwhelming. During times of crisis, it is important to remember that your children may come home seeking the safe feeling they have being there. Help make it a place where your children find the solitude or comfort they need. Plan a night where everyone participates in a favorite family activity.
Watch for signs of stress, fear or anxiety. After a traumatic event, it is typical for children (and adults) to experience a wide range of emotions, including fearfulness, shock, anger, grief and anxiety. Your children’s behaviors may change because of their response to the event. They may experience trouble sleeping, difficulty with concentrating on school work or changes in appetite. This is normal for everyone and should begin to disappear in a few months. Encourage your children to put their feelings into words by talking about them or journaling. Some children may find it helpful to express their feelings through art.
Take “news breaks.” Your children may want to keep informed by gathering information about the event from the Internet, television or newspapers. It is important to limit the amount of time spent watching the news because constant exposure may actually heighten their anxiety and fears. Also, scheduling some breaks for yourself is important; allow yourself time to engage in activities you enjoy.
Take care of yourself. Take care of yourself so you can take care of your children. Be a model for your children on how to manage traumatic events. Keep regular schedules for activities such as family meals and exercise to help restore a sense of security and normalcy.
These tips and strategies can help you guide your children through the current crisis. If you are feeling stuck or overwhelmed, you may want to consider talking to someone who could help. A licensed mental health professional such as a psychologist can assist you in developing an appropriate strategy for moving forward. It is important to get professional help if you feel like you are unable to function or perform basic activities of daily living.