School shootings — like the recent tragedy in Minneapolis — are deeply traumatic and difficult to comprehend, especially for children and teens. For many families, these events can be frightening and overwhelming. That’s why it’s so important to have age-appropriate and honest conversations with young people. These conversation starters, tailored for early childhood through high school, are grounded in the belief that every child deserves a clear, compassionate explanation of what’s happening around them. They also emphasize the need for adult guidance in helping children understand what information is appropriate and trustworthy during such emotionally charged moments.
Family & Children’s Services provides the following resources on how to approach this conversation with your child, based on their age and level of interest.
When a disaster or crisis strikes, Family & Children’s Service’s Psychological First Aid (PFA) Teams can help. PFA mobilizes to provide support and comfort, reduce the initial distress caused by traumatic events and foster short- and long-term adaptive functioning and coping. For more information, call Lorri Perez at 918.633.2407.
Are you in crisis and need immediate help?
Call COPES (Telephone & Mobile Psychiatric Crisis Services) 918.744.4800
We provide 24/7 rapid response, stabilization and intervention for all ages in Tulsa County for persons who feel out of control or have thoughts of suicide, harming themselves or hurting others.
Offering Comfort in Stressful Times
Originally published by Sesame Street Workshop.
