Coping with Tragedy

To assist schools in helping students cope with violence, loss, and grief, the California Department of Education has provided some helpful resources that are applicable for coping with any tragedy. For more information, contact your school district's coordinator for crisis response or your county office of education. Counseling and student support specialists (school counselors, school psychologists, school social workers, and school nurses) and local mental health specialists can assist you in working with individual students and staff.

Coping with Violence, Loss, and Grief

Supporting Students and Families in the Aftermath of a School Tragedy (PDF; Added 27-May-2022)
Resources and organizations to support children and families affected by tragic violence.

Recursos de apoyo después de una tragedia escolar (PDF; Added 10-June-2022)
Recursos y organizaciones de apoyo para niños y familias impactados por tragedias violentas

A Practical Guide for Crisis Response in Our Schools
Information to help parents and teachers deal effectively with a child's reactions to a crisis situation. Note: Permission is granted for reproduction and dissemination of the following documents.

• Parent Guidelines (PDF)
• Teacher Guidelines (PDF)

Bullying and Hate Motivated Behavior Prevention
Provides resources for parents, administrators, and students on how bullying can be prevented and addressed. Resources include publications, sample policies, and frequently asked questions.

Mental Health
Provides strategies, resources, and training in psychological and mental health issues, including coping with tragedy, crisis intervention and prevention, school psychology and suicide prevention.

National Association of School Psychologists
Provides information to help parents, school personnel, mental health professionals, and others to assist children as they cope with the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on the United States. Current topics addressed include coping with terrorism, promoting tolerance, recognizing severe trauma reaction, managing anger and other strong emotions, preventing suicide, creating school memorials, understanding children and war, and helping children with special needs cope. Some handouts are translated into other languages. The following helpful publications are available:

• Talking to Children About Violence (PDF)
• Parents Called to Active Duty: Helping Children Cope (PDF)
• Helping Children Deal With Tragic Events in Unsettling Times
• Crisis Website Resources

National Center for Crisis Management
The National Center for Crisis Management is a multidisciplinary network of professionals who are committed to improving the support and intervention provided to victims before, during and in the aftermath of crisis situations.

Mental Health America
Mental Health America, formerly the National Mental Health Association, has developed the Coping with Disaster Fact Sheet Series to help adults and children cope with stress.

Coping with War and the Threat of Terrorism

Children and Fear of War and Terrorism - Tips for Parents and Teachers
This resource emphasizes how children are likely to be affected during this difficult period in history and what parents and teachers can do to acknowledge children's feelings and help them feel safe.

Dealing with War and Terrorism in the Classroom
Education World offers educators tips on how to address issues of war and terrorism with their students. This site offers strategies for discussing the threats of war and terrorism with different age groups.