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Providing Support When Violent Things Happen:
Talking to Children and Teens

The resources below, developed by CRW, offers guidance for adults who surround youth to support them in conversation when violent and scary things happen in the world. Click the resources below to learn more about talking with children and teens. 

Coping Resources in Response to
Mass Violence Events

  • Mass violence events evoke a range of emotions and concerns of safety in the community. In response, the National Child Traumatic Stress Network has developed resources to help children, families, and communities navigate what they are seeing and hearing, acknowledge their feelings, and find ways to cope together. 

Resources Include: 

Psychological First Aid: 

The NCTSN also has resources for responders on Psychological First Aid (PFA). PFA is an early intervention to support children, adolescents, adults, and families impacted by these types of events. The PFA Wallet Card (En Español) provides a quick reminder of the core actions. PFA Handouts include:

National Mass Violence and Victimization Resource Center: 

Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress at the Uniformed Services University:

Disaster Helpline:

  • SAMHSA has a Disaster Distress Helpline – call or text 1-800-985-5990 (for Spanish, press “2”) to be connected to a trained counselor 24/7/365.

Additional Resources from NCTSN:

For those that are needing technical assistance or additional resources, please don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Melissa Brymer at mbrymer@mednet.ucla.edu.

K-12 School Specific Resources: 

 

Supporting Students, Staff, Families, and Communities Impacted by Violence

The National Center for School Mental Health (NCSMH) at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) compiled the following list of websites and free resources to help support youth, families, schools, and communities impacted by violence.

Commentary and Articles Featuring Colleagues, Collaborators and Friends