Any kind of disaster, either natural or man-made, can put children in the grip of long-lasting psychological problems. Parents should take the initiative to help their little ones cope with the tragedy.
However, parents may often be confused regarding how to talk about the tragedy directly to the child. Following are some recommendations from health experts from the American Psychological Association to help parents manage their children's distress, at a time when the country is mourning the loss of 26 lives in the Connecticut school shooting:
* Find a suitable time to open a discussion
* Convince the child that you are interested in knowing his/her feelings
* Do not interrupt or respond before they complete their talk
* Provide ample support to the child
* Convince the child that home is a safe place, by providing the comfort and affection they need
* Identify signs of stress, fear or anxiety - Children exposed to a traumatic event often exhibit a wide range of symptoms related to stress and anxiety like sleeplessness and inability to concentrate
* Discourage children from watching media coverage of the incident, as it can trigger anxiety and fear among them
* Overcome the situation- parents should overcome the situation themselves first to provide ample support to children. Family meals and exercise may help return to normalcy
Apart from these tips, authorities at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recommend parents to dial the Disaster Distress Helpline 1-800-985-5990 to receive instant counseling for persons who are struggling to cope with the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut.
"When disaster strikes, people react with increased anxiety, worry and anger. With community and family support, most of us bounce back. Some may need extra assistance to cope with unfolding events and uncertainties," SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde said in a statement. "People seeking emotional help in the aftermath of a disaster can now call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 and begin the process of recovery."
