Parent Resources
Grief Resources for Parents of Teens:
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Kansas City & Chiefs community, as well as everyone that was impacted by the tragic events that occurred in Kansas City Wednesday afternoon. Below are a number of crisis resources available to help as students, teachers, staff, and community members continue to grapple with this senseless shooting that happened in our own state.
Helping Students in Troubling Times
https://childmind.org/article/helping-children-cope-frightening-news/
https://www.learningforjustice.org/magazine/when-bad-things-are-happening
https://www.npr.org/2019/04/24/716704917/when-the-news-is-scary-what-to-say-to-kids
Additional Resources from the Missouri Department of Mental Health:
Mass violence events are human-caused tragedies that can impact whole communities. These types of events include shootings, acts of terrorism, or mass riots. These violent acts typically target defenseless citizens with the intent to harm or kill. Survivors may have feelings of confusion, fear, guilt, and helplessness. Sometimes, those with no personal connections to the event may even be impacted. It's normal for people to experience emotional distress after an event like this. Some may experience anxiety, trouble sleeping, and other depression-like symptoms in response to incidents of mass violence.
You can find more resources along with local support in Kansas City at this link. Resources include, but are not limited to coping with grief, age-related reactions to traumatic events, and parent and teacher support tools for children.
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a source of support available 24/7 to people in crisis, including people experiencing challenging reactions to disasters.
GRIEF RESOURCES FOR TEENS LINKS:
TIPS FOR PARENTS OF STUDENTS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING CRISIS
Keep your child informed and updated, keeping in mind the developmental and cognitive level of the child. Children need to feel involved and as in control as much as possible.
Watch for signs of distress, loss of appetite, aggression, acting out, being withdrawn, sleeping disorders, and other behavior changes that can indicate problems.
Send your child to school if possible. The stability and routine of a familiar situation will help young people feel more secure.
Remember that everyone reacts to stress and/or grief in different ways. There is no one way to act in a crisis situation.
Allow children the opportunity to express feelings. It is important to validate these feelings.
A good diet and plenty of exercise are important for children who are under stress. Encourage your child to eat well and get plenty of exercise.
Be honest about your own concerns, but stress your and your child's ability to cope with the situation.
Respect a child's need to grieve.
Provide somewhere private adn quiet for your child to go.
Be available and listen to your child.
Remember to take care of yourself.
Obtain outside help if necessary.
TIPS FOR STUDENTS IN CRISIS
Remember that everyone reacts to pain adn stress in different ways. Don't expect everyone to act or feel the same. Also, don't expect the pain to last the same amount of time for everyone.
In the case of death, remember that friends and family will need your care and concern long after the funeral is over.
Don't be afraid to ask for help if you aren't sure if you can cope.
Take care of yourself. Eat well; get plenty of sleep and exercise.
Try some of these ideas to help you handle stress and grief:
Talk to someone
Cry
Write a letter
Ride a bike
Keep a journal
Clean your room
Dance
Help someone else
Listen to music
Run
Rearrange your room
Read a Book
Create something
Go for a walk
Draw
Plant something
Dig in the dirt
Yell at your pillow
Make a music playlist of special songs
LOCAL COUNSELING RESOURCES
The following list of counseling and psychiatric resources is only for informational purposes. It is recommended to check the back of insurance cards for a number to call for information about your insurance coverage and providers. This list in no way endorses individual professionals or offices, it is solely for your reference. If you have any questions, call 816-580-7270 ext. 515.
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