Support After Tragedy
Tragedy comes in many forms, such as mass shootings, war, racism, hate crimes, natural disasters, and pandemics, to name a few. Explore resources to support both children and adults during and after tragedies.
Sharing Difficult News With Children
As clinicians, we are asked some version of the following on a regular basis. When we should tell our children:
UCLA Health Pediatric Grand Rounds: Anxiety Caused By Tragedy
The impacts of a traumatic event look different for children in various developmental stages. Learn to identify child reactions to stress and ways to best support them following community threats and tragedy.
Be PREPARED
It can be difficult to know what to say, how much to say, or when to say anything about challenging topics with a child. Utilize this printable tool for support in having open communication with youth about difficult topics.
Self-Affirmations for Trying Times
Self-compassion is the process of turning compassion inwards and is one way to navigate trying times. Self-compassion is associated with greater psychological health and happiness. Download this tool to access words of self-compassion.
Age-Based Tips and Lessons to Help Students Process Upsetting Events for Educators
When tragedies occur, students of all ages may be exposed to varying levels of information through social media, news outlets, or overhearing conversations. Educators and school staff may recognize a need to address the tragedy itself and/or the emotional impact it may have on their students within the classroom. This resource provides strategies to skillfully discuss when tragic events occur and links to additional age-based tips and resources for news and media literacy.
Constructivist Listening
Constructivist listening is an effective strategy for engaging in conversations that are both intellectually demanding and emotionally challenging. It is distinct from most forms of listening in that its purpose is for the benefit of the speaker, not the listener. Access this website to learn more.
Explaining the News to Our Kids
Coming up with skillful ways to talk to kids about national tragedies and disturbing news can be incredibly difficult for parents. This resource offers age-based tips for parents on how to talk with kids about difficult events in ways that support kids in processing the facts as well as their own emotional reactions.
Parent Guidelines for Helping Youth After the Recent Shooting
Although always horrifying, parents and kids may feel the impact of school shootings in different ways. Parents’ ability to provide emotionally attuned support can guide their kids towards recovering from the impacts of school violence in ways that more effectively restore a sense of safety and wellbeing. This resource provides an overview of potential reactions parents may see in children of different ages, tips to support and talk to youth, and considerations for parents’ own wellbeing.
Responding to School Violence: Tips for Administrators
The ripple effects of school violence, such as shootings, can be felt across the nation’s school communities, often leaving a sense of fear and decreased sense of safety. School administrators play a key role in helping their school communities recover following school tragedies. These guidelines provide helpful tips for administrators to consider in support of re-establishing and reinforcing students’ perceived safety within their respective school communities.
Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers
Schools are expected to be safe places for youth and incidents of school violence can negatively skew students’ perceptions of felt safety, especially closely after events have occurred. That said, how the adults around them respond and engage with youth around the events can help restore a sense of safety and build resilience. This website offers useful strategies for parents and teachers on how to talk to kids about school violence in developmentally appropriate and emotionally supportive ways. This information is provided in English, Spanish, ...