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Managing the Psychological Aftermath of School Incidents

Managing the Psychological Aftermath of School Incidents. Background. Following a traumatic incident: Students and school personnel may exhibit symptoms of psychological stress. Reactions will vary by age group. Many victims will successfully cope with the traumatic experience over time.

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Managing the Psychological Aftermath of School Incidents

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  1. Managing the Psychological Aftermath of School Incidents

  2. Background • Following a traumatic incident: • Students and school personnel may exhibit symptoms of psychological stress. • Reactions will vary by age group. • Many victims will successfully cope with the traumatic experience over time. • A small percentage may continue to exhibit trauma symptoms, which can indicate post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

  3. Addressing Psychological Trauma • Identify at-risk students and school personnel. • Develop partnerships with local mental health practitioners. • Strengthen and encourage peer support.

  4. Supporting Recovery • Encourage students to talk about disaster-related events. • Promote positive coping and problem-solving skills. • Encourage friendship and peer support among students.

  5. Preschool and Elementary: Symptoms • Common symptoms of psychological trauma include: • Thumb sucking • Sleep disturbances • Clinginess • Loss of appetite • Regression in behavior • Irritability or aggressiveness • Withdrawal • School avoidance • Poor concentration

  6. Preschool and Elementary: Strategies • Help students recover by: • Planning activities (e.g., scrapbooks) to help students organize chaotic and confusing feelings and events. • Encouraging physical activity to relieve tension and anxiety. • Asking students to draw, write, or listen to stories about the incident, then discuss their feelings.

  7. Middle and High School: Symptoms • Common symptoms of psychological trauma include: • Sleep disturbances • Eating disturbances • Agitation • Increase in conflicts • Physical complaints • Delinquent behavior • Poor concentration

  8. Middle and High School: Strategies • Help students recover by: • Following the basic strategies described for younger students. • Using art, music, or poetry to describe experiences and express feelings. • Encouraging students to keep a journal, or write and produce a play or a video.

  9. Prevention Resources www.fema.gov www.nasponline.org www.nimh.nih.gov www.extension.uiuc.edu

  10. School Emergency Operations Plan What sections of the school EOP relate to psychological trauma and recovery? Are these procedures complete and current?

  11. Next Steps How can we improve our efforts to address psychological trauma after a school incident?

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