Coping With Violence |
The recent sniper shootings in the Washington D.C. area have left us shocked and concerned. Not only are we worried about our own safety, but we are also concerned for the safety of our loved ones. It is understandable if you are frightened and angry. This is a natural response to a horrific event. At the end of this email, you will find a list of resources available to you. Below, we provide suggestions on coping with these terrible events and recommendations for providing support to children during this difficult time. Coping Strategies For those of us in the Washington, D.C. area, the recent sniper attacks have made us feel more vulnerable. The concern over the attacks brings out a variety of feelings such as anxiety, stress, helplessness, fear, irritability and anger. Such feelings may result in an inability to concentrate, shortened tempers, increased alcohol consumption, nightmares, and may also cause one to lose interest in normal activities. Such reactions are normal. For persons who were previously dealing with an illness, such as chronic pain or a mental health concerns, the recent events may exacerbate their condition. In order to cope with the present situation, consider talking to friends and family to address your concerns and feelings. Don’t be overly critical of yourself for being worried or frightened. Seek assistance from your doctor or the Employee Assistance Program if your anxiety or other symptoms prevent you from carrying out your normal daily routine. Helping Children Handle Disaster-Related Anxiety Children sense the anxiety and tension in adults around them. And, like adults, children experience the same feelings of helplessness and lack of control that disasters can bring about. Unlike adults, however, children have little experience to help them place their current problems into perspective. Each child responds differently to disasters, depending on his or her understanding and maturity. However, disasters can create a great deal of anxiety in children of all ages because they will interpret the disaster as a personal danger to themselves and those they care about. Therefore, it’s most important that you be open about the consequences for your family. Encourage your child to talk about their reactions and feelings, regardless of their age or relationship to the damage caused by the disaster. Pre-School Age Children: Behavior such as bed-wetting, thumb sucking, baby talk, or a fear of sleeping alone may intensify in some younger children, or reappear in children who had previously outgrown them. They may complain of very real stomach cramps or headaches, and be reluctant to go to school. It’s important to remember that these children are not "being bad" - they’re afraid. Here are some suggestions to help them cope with their fears:
Grade-School Age Children: Children this age may ask many questions about the disaster, and it’s important that you try to answer them in clear and simple language. If a child is concerned about a parent who is distressed, don’t tell a child not to worry-doing so will just make him or her worry more. Here are several important things to remember with school-age children:
Adolescents: Encourage older youth to work out their concerns about the disaster. Adolescents may try to down-play their worries. It is generally a good idea to talk about these issues, keeping the lines of communication open and remaining honest about the financial, physical and emotional impact of the disaster on your family. When adolescents are frightened, they may express their fear through acting out or regressing to younger habits.
In the event your child’s symptoms continue or have a serious impact on his/her school performance or mental health, seek assistance from your doctor or contact the EAP for a referral to a mental health professional. Mental Health Resources Justice Management Division Employee Assistance Program (http://www.usdoj.gov/jmd/ps/eapbrochure.htm#eapcontacts) or call (800)-626-0385The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has designed a special Web site, Managing Anxiety in Times of Crisis, located at: http://www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/cmhs/ChildrenAnxiety, to help families, schools, community organizations, and the general public deal with the traumatic effects of these shootings as we go about our daily tasks, including taking our children to school. From this site parents, caregivers, and children can obtain information about ways to communicate in times of crisis; locate local crisis referrals and national mental health sources; view or download material on effective emergency and disaster responses; and link to related publications and other Web sites. Anyone needing additional information, services, or materials to help understand and talk about the emotional effects of trauma can call SAMHSA's National Mental Health Information Center at 1-800-789-2647; (TDD: 301-443-9006)-service is provided by bilingual staff. The following hotlines are available to help individuals cope with the attacks. Montgomery County Crisis Center Prince George's County Mental Health Hotlines D.C. Mental Health Hotline Prince William County Crisis Hotline CrisisLink (Crisis hotline serving D.C., Virginia and Maryland) |
Page Created: October 17, 2002
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