Navigating the News for Children and Youth

In the wake of the tragic school shooting that took place at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, TX, we adults are left with the difficult task of navigating a constant stream of media as we move forward to find ways to prevent these senseless acts from occuring in the future.

But what about our children and youth? They are equally bombarded by images of tragedy through social media and news broadcasts. They are also aware and sensitive to the moods of the adults around them, often more aware than we think. How do we best support them?

As their parents, caregivers, community members and those who love them, it is our privilege to listen to them and help them understand that their voice is precious and deserves to be heard. It is not necessary for us to have all the answers to their questions either. Rather, we are here to help them feel safe and loved. Below is a list of online resources to help us navigate these conversations.

We will update this list in real time, so if anyone finds additional helpful resources, please email them to [email protected] so they might be added.

May we continue to pray united as the Body of Christ for those families most affected in Texas, for their community, and for each other, especially our children.

Love never fails. 

 

RESOURCE LIST:
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network: https://www.nctsn.org/what-is-child-trauma/trauma-types/terrorism-and-violence/school-shooting-resources

Crisis Text Line: crisistextline.org If you or someone you love is in crisis, or needs a safe space to express themselves, text HOME to 741741 and a trained counselor will respond 24/7.

Fred Rogers Institute: https://www.fredrogersinstitute.org/ 
https://www.fredrogersinstitute.org/files/resources/7/respondingtodifficultcurrentevents2022.pdf

Youth.gov: https://youth.gov/feature-article/federal-resources-helping-youth-cope-after-school-shooting

American School Counselor Association:  https://www.schoolcounselor.org/Publications-Research/Publications/Free-ASCA-Resources/After-a-School-Shooting

National Center for Healthy Safe Children:  https://healthysafechildren.org/trauma-violence-and-school-shooting

National Association of School Psychologists:  https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/school-safety-and-crisis/school-violence-resources/talking-to-children-about-violence-tips-for-parents-and-teachers
 

Child Mind Institute:  https://childmind.org/

National Parent Helpline:  https://www.nationalparenthelpline.org/ (includes phone number)

Healthy Children:  https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/Media/Pages/Talking-To-Children-About-Tragedies-and-Other-News-Events.aspx

Save the Children: https://www.savethechildren.org/us/charity-stories/how-to-talk-to-children-about-school-shootings 

Catholic

USCCB:  https://www.usccb.org/news/2022/statement-usccb-school-shooting-uvalde-texas 

National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry:  https://nfcym.org/resources/topics/resources-on-violence/

Pope's Statement:  https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-05/pope-francis-heartbroken-at-latest-us-shooting.html

Ignatian Solidarity Network:  https://ignatiansolidarity.net/blog/2022/05/25/in-response-to-the-school-shooting-in-uvalde-texas/