Talking to Students About Violence and Mass Shootings

School counselors are available to assist students, parents, and their school communities being the healing process after acts of violence and school shootings.  Below are a collection of resources to help begin the healing process.

Helping Kids After a School Shooting

Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers

Coping in the aftermath of a shooting 

Trauma and Disaster Mental Health

Impact of Mass Shootings on Survivors, Families, Families, and Communities

Trauma-Informed Approach and Trauma-Specific Interventions

School Shootings and Student Mental Health: Role of the School Counselor in Mitigating Violence 

Coping After a School Shooting

Managing Your Distress In The Aftermath of a Shooting

Center for Injury Research and Prevention, School Shootings

Rachel’s Challenge, Professional Development Opportunities

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network: Child Trauma Toolkit for Educators

These resources include tip sheets on:

· The Psychological Impact of the Recent Shooting

· Tips for Parents on Media Coverage

· Tip Sheet for Youth Talking to Journalists about the Shooting

· Parent Guidelines for Helping Youth after the Recent Shooting

· Talking to Children about the Shooting

· Helping Teens with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers

· Helping School-Age Children with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers

· Helping Young Children with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers

· After a Crisis: Helping Young Children Heal

· After the Injury—website for families with injured children

· Health Care Toolbox—website for pediatric health providers working with injured children

Resources for Educators

–  Helping Youth After a Community Trauma: Tips for Educators

–  Psychological for Aid for Schools (PFA-S) – full manual

–  Providing PFA-S: For Health-Related Professionals – handout

–  Providing PFA-S: For Principals and Administrators – handout

–  Providing PFA-S: For School Support Staff – handout

–  Providing PFA-S: For Teachers – handout

–  Self-Care Checklist for School Staff – handout

The NCTSN also has resources for responders on Psychological First Aid (PFA). PFA is an early intervention to support children, adolescents, adults, and families impacted by these types of events. An online training course for PFA is available on our NCTSN Learning Center. PFA Mobile is an app that can be accessed for free  for Android and Apple mobile devices

Disaster Hotline

SAMHSA has a Disaster Distress Hotline – call 1-800-985-5900 or text TALKWITHUS to 66746.