Helping kids cope after tragedies - WFMJ.com News weather sports for Youngstown-Warren Ohio

Helping kids cope after tragedies

TRUMBULL COUNTY, Ohio - Seeing horrific tragedies like the Connecticut school shooting on TV brings up a lot of emotions for kids around the country and a local expert says there are ways families can help young ones cope.

April Caraway, Executive Director of the Trumbull County Mental Health and Recovery Board, recommends parents help their children work through reactions of fear, anger, and despair.

She said avoid separating from your child, encourage them to talk about their thoughts and feelings, and reinforce the safety plans in place.

"Well first thing, I think parents should make sure that they don't let their kids see a lot on television about the shooting in Connecticut because kids are afraid, they internalize and too much of that viewing, just like when we had too much of the 9/11 viewings we had a lot of kids who were having some mental health issues because of it," Caraway said.

She said seek professional help if your child is afraid to leave your side, go to school, eat or sleep or talks about the events incessantly beyond a week or two.