Mass Violence & Children
*Recent School Shootings are scary.
*Start the conversation. Talk about the shooting with your child.
Not talking about it can make the event even more threatening in your child’s mind.
Silence suggests that what has occurred is too horrible even to speak about or that you do not know what has happened.
With social media chances are your child has heard about it, too.
*Don’t assume, Ask
What does your child already know? Start by asking what your child/teen already has heard about the events from the media and from friends.
Listen carefully; try to figure out what he or she knows or believes.
As your child explains, listen for misinformation, misconceptions, and underlying fears or concerns.
*Gently correct inaccurate information.
*Review plans your family has for keeping safe in the event of any crisis situation.
*Limit media exposure. Limit your child’s exposure to media images and sounds of the shooting
*Do not allow your very young children to see or hear any TV/radio shooting related messages.
*Limit your own exposure as well. Adults may become more distressed with nonstop exposure to media coverage of this shooting.
• Common reactions.
problems paying attention and concentrating.
irritability or defiance.
trouble separating from caregivers, wanting to stay at home or close by them.
anxiety about what has happened, what may happen in the future, and how it will impact their lives.
sleep and appetite routines may change.
these reactions lessen within a few weeks but if not seek extra help.
• Be a positive role model.
• Be patient. In times of stress, children/teens may have trouble with their behavior, concentration, and attention.
• Extra help is available local mental health professionals who have expertise in trauma.
summarized from Talking to Children about the Shooting National Child Traumatic Stress Network www.NCTSN.org