It’s hard to find the words to say in the wake of what’s happened this past week. Whether you have just followed the Oxford High School shooting through the media ... or if you’re in the neighboring communities that having been dealing with copycat threats … or you’re a member of the Oxford community dealing with the heartbreaking loss of these young lives … we’re all grieving and processing the heavy trauma of this event.
If you’re struggling to find ways to help yourself and others cope with this tragedy, I recommend you check out this page from the National Association of School Psychologists. Here are some highlights:
- Validate feelings
- Reassure safety & review safety procedures
- Allow time for children to talk and ask questions
- Keep explanations developmentally appropriate
- Limit viewing media exposure of the event
- Maintain a normal routine
Remember that MIAPT is a community of individuals that are here to support one another. Please feel free to reach out to me personally or another MIAPT member if you need a listening ear, shoulder to lean on, or some creative resources.
May you make your way through the season as stress free as possible and I hope you’re able to spend it doing things you love with the people you love!
Playfully yours,
Laura Hutchison, PsyD, LP, RPT-S
President, MIAPT 2021
playdr@gmail.com
