Effect of bad news on kids can be heavy (4/27/07)

Billings Gazette - Billings, MT, USA

“It’s a valid response for children, especially young children, to be scared,” said Terry Smith, a licensed clinical social worker at the Billings Clinic …

Out-of-shape people can hit the ground running (4/20/07)

Baltimore Sun - Baltimore, MD, USA

Haydu, a licensed clinical social worker, was determined to run the 26 miles, 285 yards in about 5 1/2 hours. He didn’t quite do that: he finished in …
Note: Larry Haydu (an active member) did finish the Boston Marathon.

Getting through it all: Local counselors give advice on coping … (4/19/07)

Farmington Daily Times - Farmington, NM, USA

David Johnson, president of New Horizons and a clinical social worker, wants the people of San Juan County to know that help is out there, adding grief …

Properly dealing with anger is a critical point (4/19/07)

Daily Press - Newport News, VA,USA

“This strikes at the heart of our social fabric,” said Jeff Kaye, a licensed clinical social worker and manager of Riverside Health System’s Options …

The National Association of Social Workers is deeply shocked and saddened by the tragedy that took place on Monday, April 16 on the Virginia Tech campus. We offer our condolences to the students, their families and friends, and the entire community.

Social workers know that the effects of this tragedy, as the facts unfold, will be felt by the students of Virginia Tech and the Blacksburg community for some time to come. We encourage those who are experiencing feelings of anger, grief and loss to seek the assistance of those mental health professionals who have been brought into the campus community.

To find social workers who have expertise in grief, loss and mental health, please click here.

Related Articles from www.helpstartshere.org

A Response to the Virginia Tech Tragedy

Recovering from High Profile Events

Helping Children Cope With Traumatic Events

Sudden Death in Disasters and Accidents: A Guide to Survival for Family Members
and Friends

Understanding Adolescents’ and Children’s Responses to Loss

Bereavement Support Groups — An Effective Tool for Healing

Anxiety: How Social Workers Help College Students

Resources

Here is a list of resources from the National Assembly on School-Based Health Care:

The American Academy of Pediatrics has assembled a collection of resources to help parents, teachers, students, schools, and pediatricians cope with the aftermath of this terrible event. Additional resources are provided on violence prevention, school safety, and promoting mental health. http://www.aap.org/featured/resourcepage.htm

Mental Health America offers tips for educators, students and parents on how to talk about the tragedy. http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/coping- virginia-tech

The NYU Child Study Center has put together tips for parents and school professionals for talking to kids about tough topics such as these school shootings and for understanding how children and adolescents cope with traumatic events. http://www.aboutourkids.org/ aboutour/articles/school_violence_tips.html

International Critical Stress Foundation offers a brief informational handout. http://www.icisf.org/Articles/Acrobat% 20Documents/TerrorismIncident/CISInfoSheet.pdf

The UCLA School Mental Health Project has a handout on “Assessing Whether a Student Might Commit a Violent Act.” http://smhp.psych.ucla.edu/pdfdocs/shootings.pdf