After the distressing images in the media following the recent tragedy in New Zealand, a lot of people, including our children, feel very strong emotions that they do not know how to express.  It is important to be aware that:

• Strong feelings and trauma responses are normal
• Trauma affects everyone differently and there is no “right way” to deal with trauma
• Encourage connection over isolation
• Encourage and enable support/help seeking
• Encourage use of existing support mechanisms, including spiritual and cultural practices
• Children learn about managing feelings, building resilience and responses to trauma from those around them

Thank you to the New Zealand Psychological Society for providing a list of resources which could be useful at this time.

Read the full Article

Support agencies/ available counselling

• Canterbury Charity Hospital offers free counselling following Christchurch terror attack
• Phone support through government funded Telehealth services including:
  • Home Care Medical (Auckland Help Line)
  • Victim Support Official page

Resources on Trauma

Note: there is a wealth of information available relating to trauma – this is not an exhaustive list however below are some examples of well evidenced information

The Impact of Distressing Video Material

As you may be aware, there is video footage of last Friday’s terror attack that has been circulating on-line.  Authorities and internet providers are working together to identify those people who have shared it, and it’s being removed from circulation.
This video material may be highly distressing. We encourage those who are impacted by viewing this material to seek support as needed. You can phone or text 1737 at any time to access free confidential counselling services.  You can also access EAP and / or Workplace Support in the usual ways.
Please be aware of the impact of recent events and the repeated viewing of distressing video material on children and young people. Read more

Resources for parents/whānau/community

• Waitemata DHB: Resources for working with the Muslim community
• The major event in Christchurch -what you might be feeling and why– Sarb Johal
• The major event in Christchurch- talking with children– Sarb Johal
• Interview of Sarb Johal on Radio NZ: Helping young people through the aftermath of the Christchurch mass shootings
• MOH: Coping after a traumatic event
• MOH: Mental health advice for coping after a traumatic event
• MOH: Advice on supporting your kids after a traumatic event
• MOH: Helping children deal with trauma
• MOH: Tips for parents and educators: Supporting children and young people (PDF)
• Info Sheet: Coping after a serious event – from Le Va
• Tips for talking with and helping children and young people cope after community violence – Guidelines for parents, caregivers and teachers – from the APS

Resources for Teachers and Schools

• British Red Cross: https://www.redcross.org.uk/get-involved/teaching-resources/talking-with-children-about-a-major-emergency
• National Association of School Psychologists: Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers
• Heads Up CIO: Package For Emergency Events In Schools and Communities

Resources for Professionals and Support Services

• The National Child Traumatic Stress Network – Mass violence resources
• Creating stronger communities: Insights from psychological science – from the APS
• From the Journal of Traumatic Stress, the issue Trauma in the Context of Mass Shootings, is available online through the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies
• Framework for Psychosocial Support in Emergencies – for those involved in  planning, coordinating and delivering psychosocial interventions and mental health treatments in an emergency

Further General trauma-related Resources/Information

• The Parenting Place: How to talk to your kids about: Trauma
• Oranga Tamariki: Talking about traumatic events
• Tragic events and community violence
• Coping following community violence– Strategies for coping following community violence- from the APS
• Public Health Matters Blog: Helping Children Cope With a Disaster
• Managing your distress in the aftermath of a shooting – from the APA
• When disasters and emergencies are caused by community violence– Guidelines for organisations for
  providing psychosocial support following community violence- from the APS
• Tools for communicating about violence, peace and social justice – from the APS
• Managing Stress in an Emergency
• New Zealand Red Cross – disaster management
• Mental health advice for coping after a traumatic event
• Tips for recovering from traumatic events
• Trauma – from the APS
• Taking Care of your Emotional Health after a Disaster (PDF)
• Global Disasters: Helping Children Cope (PDF)
• Grief Guide – for children (PDF)
• Responding to Natural Disasters: Helping Children and Families – Information for School Crisis Teams (PDF)
  
• Disaster Communications Guidelines: Response and Recovery Planning for Public Leaders and Spokespersons (PDF)
• Post traumatic stress disorder after the Haitian earthquake (KevinMD.com – blog)
• Coping with Disaster – FEMA
• Helping Children Cope with Disaster

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