Does my child need professional support after a tragedy?

*Note: this article was written in response to 2025 Annunciation School shooting, however, general principles apply to crises and tragedies at large.

In times of crisis, children and adolescents look for adults and peers for stability, connection, and security. Professional help should enhance support from natural networks. For the majority of children (about 2 out of 3) difficulties will resolve in time with adequate support from family, friends, and other trusted adults. While memories of a tragedy will always be painful, they may not impact the mental health of children longterm.

The following information is intended to reinforce supports you are already providing your child and offer guidance about when to seek professional help.

In the first 4-8 weeks after a traumatic event, focus on monitoring your child and offering support.

What to expect in the first 4-8 weeks

What's Common	How to Support
Appearing numb or unbothered	Calm and console your child
Declining opportunities to talk about the event	Offer time with safe people
Sleep Disturbances/ Nightmares	Remind your child of safety at home or in the community
Decreased distress tolerance and diminished ability to self-regulate	Review tangible safety measures in place at school
Heightened emotional reactions	Remind your child, "I know how to take care of you, even if I am sad/mad or worried."
Behaviors that seem "too young"	Provide opportunities for physical activity and movement
Separation anxiety	Normalize your child's emotional reactions to the event
Difficulty with daily tasks	Provide love, affection, support and attention
Imaginary play or art with violent themes	Remind your child that traumatic events are not their fault
	Provide opportunities to play or create art freely

What to expect from months 2 through 6

What's Common	How to Support
Initial difficulties decrease in frequency and intensity	Individual therapy assessment if behaviors are still disrupting daily activities or hobbies
Increased ability to make meaning of the event and fit it into the story of their life	Foster a sense of family and community
Increased sadness and expressions of grief	Group discussions at school about self-regulation and how stress affects learning
	Encourage Time with peers for age-appropriate activities

During anniversaries or reminders of the traumatic experience

● It is normal to experience an uptick in symptoms listed above

● Create opportunity for discussion of the event with school, community and supportive persons

● Offer space for ritual and memory, individually or with others affected

Questions for Self-Assessment

It is entirely normal to be concerned about your child’s recovery from a traumatic event. Use your judgment as a caregiver to determine if and when a professional assessment might be the best next move for your child. You know your child

better than anyone else. After the first month of monitoring and supporting your child, here are some questions to guide your decision about seeking additional therapeutic support.

If you find yourself answering “yes” to these questions, consider seeking consultation from a trusted professional to determine whether therapy might benefit your child:

• Is my child demonstrating consistently worsening distress over the traumatic event?

• Has my child sustained a loss of academic or developmental skills?

• Is my child isolating from social support they would otherwise connect with?

• Has my child demonstrated a lack of enjoyment in things they used to enjoy?

• Has my child expressed a feeling of hopelessness?

Authors: Will Carlson, LICSW & Ana McRae, LICSW

Information and Guidance for Annuciation Families.docx

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Document included for paper distribution.

Additional Resources

Psychosocial Support for Trauma-Affected Students After School Shootings in

Finland

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network:

Parent Guidelines for Helping Youth After Recent Shooting

The National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement:

Talking to Children About Terrorist Attacks and School Shootings

UMN Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

A Guide to Navigating the First Days and Weeks After the Annunciation Shooting