Sandy Hook Elementary School: a note to those affected

I received this note from a LinkedIn connection and wanted to share it with you.

During this extremely trying time, compounded by what should be a joyous season, my heart breaks for those struggling with such unimaginable tragedy.  

Please share this with anyone you feel might benefit and take time to feel gratitude for what we have and offer a hand to those without. 

On 12/15/12 11:46 AM, National Center for Crisis Management wrote:
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Dear Colleague,

As the leader of the National Center for Crisis Management and the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress, I want to write to my connections on LinkedIn to address the tragic event that occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Those close to this event and directly impacted will have to contend with this horrific experience in the short-term and long-term as the psychological ramifications of this event emerge. All will likely be impacted in some manner and will have to cope with their own feelings and the feelings of others with whom they come into contact in a personal and professional capacity.

As professionals we will be charged with having to help others make sense of an occurrence that in the immediate makes no sense. We will have to attempt to make children and adults feel safe when we cannot assure them of absolute safety. We will have to come up with a plan to address the emergent psychological needs of those directly and indirectly impacted by this event. We will have to assist in keeping people functional.

Below are links to practical documents from A Practical Guide for Crisis Response in Our Schools: Sixth Edition and Comprehensive Acute Traumatic Stress Management, both publications of the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress. They include useful information for assisting professionals in addressing the emergent psychological needs of those impacted by this tragic event.
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- Practical Suggestions for Assisting Children in the Aftermath of a Tragedy
( http://www.aaets.org/practicalsuggestionschildren.pdf )

- Teacher Guidelines for Crisis Response
( http://www.aaets.org/teacherguidelines.pdf )

- Parent Guidelines for Crisis Response
( http://www.aaets.org/parentguidelines.pdf )

- How Do People Respond During Traumatic Exposure?
( http://www.aaets.org/during.pdf )

- Helpful Information During and After a Traumatic Event
( http://www.aaets.org/helpful.pdf )
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The mission of the Center and the Academy has always been to assist professionals and victims in addressing the emergent psychological needs of victims before, during and in the aftermath of a crisis situation. The Center's and the Academy's Professional Directory is available to find individuals to assist in meeting the needs of those effected by this incident by going to http://www.nc-cm.org/caregiversearch.htm .
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I hope you find these documents informative and of assistance. Please feel free to share them with anyone you believe could benefit from them. I hope that you and your family are doing well during this difficult time.

Sincerely,

Brad Lindell, Ph.D.
Chairman