Dealing With Tragedy
dealing with tragedy
When mass shootings, disaster, war, terrorism, or any traumatic incident occurs, we struggle to make sense of what happened. Although you may not have visible signs of injury, it is common for people who have experienced or witnessed one of these events to experience very strong and painful emotional reactions. As parents, we may particularly worry about what our children are seeing and how they might react.
Tips for Talking to Children about Violence
Tragic events can leave children feeling insecure and unsure of their world.
Children crave security — knowing they are safe and loved. Their developing brains depend on this need being met in order to grow into healthy well-adjusted adults. Adults’ reactions to shootings, stabbings and other violent acts affect the children around them. It is important to decide how you want to discuss the events with your children. We can often, without realizing, pass on our own fears to our children.
Children are concrete thinkers.
They cannot distinguish between reality and fantasy. So, images on screen that they see can trigger fears and anxieties each time these images are viewed. If possible, limit screen exposure to ongoing news coverage of the events.
Recognize that misinterpretations may occur when children see these images. They may think it is happening over and over again, or has happened in their neighborhood. They may not verbalize this fear. Anxiety and fear shows up in children’s behaviors.
Listen more than talk.
Despite common developmental stage characteristics, each child is unique. Listening to questions and answering concretely and honestly is helpful for children. For example, if your child asks questions about the shootings, instead of trying to shift the subject or provide a lot of details, respond by validating how they are feeling “Yes, what happened is scary” and then follow up with a question, such as “Tell me more about what you’ve heard.”
This can provide you with some direction in how to respond with a truthful assurance, “You are in a safe place now,” or “Mom and Dad are here to listen to how you are feeling about this.” It also gives you an opportunity to correct misconceptions such as children thinking this happened close to home or will happen to them next time they go to school.
Maintain a predictable routine.
This is important in the face of this unpredictable event. It helps to address the anxiety that goes with the new uncertainty in their worldview.
Remember that how adults react affects the children around them. Adults need to process their own fears and anxieties with other adults, out of range of children. Many adults are struggling as well. It is difficult to process, maybe more so for adults,the enormity of the lives that have been forever changed by one person’s actions.
Below are some recommended links that may be helpful:*
How Pine Rest Can Help
Critical Incidence Response. Pine Rest’s specially trained consultants are available immediately 24/7 in the time of crisis to provide expert support to leaders of organizations. We’re available via phone, video conference or in person/on the ground support for your organization to help employees deal with unforeseen traumatic events such as workplace accidents involving the death of a co-worker, suicide of a co-worker, robberies, violence, natural disasters, and more. If you’re interested in learning more for your business, church or organization, call 616.281.6305.
Psychiatric Urgent Care Center. Located at 300 68th St SE, Grand Rapids, Building E, our Psychiatric Urgent Care Center is designed to provide immediate assessment and treatment for people ages 18+ experiencing acute psychiatric symptoms who cannot wait for routine outpatient intervention. Both in-person and virtual assessments available. Call 866.455.9200.
Counseling/Outpatient Services. Pine Rest clinicians are available at outpatient locations throughout Michigan to provide confidential and professional counseling services for all members of the family. To schedule a new outpatient appointment, call 866.852.4001.
Pine Rest Newsroom: Dealing with Tragedy. Find articles on topics ranging from Caring for Yourself When There’s Traumatic News to PTSD and Trauma, Tips for Responding Spiritually to Tragedy, and more at our Newsroom,
Resources from the American Psychological Association*
We have collected these additional links to help provide you with the resources when you or a loved one may be dealing with tragedy.
*Please note: You are leaving the Pine Rest Website when you click on these links.
