Coping with the tragedy in Newtown

Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) joined Yale Child Study Center director Fred Volkmar and Steven Marans of the National Center for Children Exposed to Violence on Monday for a press conference to discuss common reactions and how parents can process their own feelings and help their children cope with the tragedy. View the press conference.

The press conference raised the issue of mental illness and particularly speculation about Asperger’s disorder. Dr. Volkmar has issued a statement in response regarding the relationship between Asperger’s disorder and violence.

To support people who are coping with the impact of the tragedy at the Sandy Hook Elementary School and to help them with conversations with children about the events, the Yale Childhood Violent Trauma Center and the Yale Child Study Center made available the following materials, which were recently distributed by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network. Click to download the pdfs below:

• Psychological Impact of the Recent Shooting
• Talking to Children about the Shooting
• Tip Sheet for Youth Talking to Journalists about the Shooting
• Parent Guidelines for Helping Youth after the Recent Shooting

Yale’s National Center for Children Exposed to Violence/Childhood Violent Trauma Center is a founding member of the network. More information can be found at the National Child Traumatic Stress Network page on Childhood Traumatic Grief.

Additionally, Yale faculty and staff needing counseling or additional help, can call Counseling and Support Services at 1-800-327-9240 or visit  www.MagellanHealth.com/member.

For those wishing to volunteer or donate:

• http://www.211ct.org/Parents/Trauma.asp - The United Way of Connecticut has established a page on their 2-1-1 website listing resources specifically relating to the Sandy Hook tragedy. It points to the Sandy Hook School Support Fund, which was established by the United Way of Western Connecticut to provide support and donations directly to affected families and the greater Newtown community.
• Other community nonprofits: the Newtown Youth and Family Services (counseling for families, community members and school staff) and the Newtown Parent Connection (a community support group of local parents). The Lutheran Church Charities has brought a team of ‘comfort dogs’ to Newtown to help support children and families. In addition the all-volunteer Sandy Hook Fire & Rescue Co. provides first-response aid and other assistance to Newtown residents.

(Image via Shutterstock)