Having tough conversations with children about gun violence after mass shootings, and helping them cope
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Many children, students, parents and teachers woke up Wednesday feeling anxious about heading back to school after the horrific mass shooting in Texas, and several other mass shootings this month.
There have been more than 200 mass shootings in the U.S. so far this year, the most recent one taking the lives of 19 children and two adults at an elementary school in Texas.
Parents across the country are left with the difficult task of explaining the horrific acts of gun violence to their kids.
The feeling of being scared is common and child psychiatrist Dr. Laine Young-Walker said one way to cope is to have those tough conversations.
"Just to be honest, there are some things that they may not have answers to and it's okay to share that. But they really need to be available and ready to have those conversations even if they're tough conversations," Dr. Young-Walker said.
Dr. Young-Walker said it is important for parents to acknowledge their kid's fear and have real conversations about school shooter safety.
"Make sure they know that you're going to keep them safe and protect them. But you're not there at school, so it's important to talk about some of the safety measures the school has in place," Dr. Young-Walker said. "Don't panic them like this is definitely going to happen at your school any day, you don't want to have that kind of conversation"
Dr. Young-Walker said it is not uncommon for kids and even teachers to be withdrawn, or develop anxiety or depression.
"I would assume, I'm not a teacher that many of them are very fearful to walk into work because they don't know what will happen. We see over and over again teachers are putting their life at risk to save the kids but they might experience some anxiety and depression," Dr. Young-Walker said.
Dr. Young-Walker said it is important for teachers to have people they can talk to and rely on and be open with about their feelings.
And if the fears and anxieties get worse, and start to make it difficult to function, Dr. Young-Walker said that's when it might be time to seek out professional support.
