How To Help Children And Youth That Witness A Killing
Of Parent, Family Member, Friend
Without careful help and emotional support this can create emotional, intellectual, and spiritual blockages that can lead to severe challenges as adults – in relationships, being able to trust, relax and learn easily. This event is a major shock for children & youth. Seeing the killing of strangers, friends and loved ones can be very upsetting and confusing for children & youth. It can stunt their emotional growth. It can create fear, anger, depression, nightmares, sleep loss, isolation and great loneliness. Can diminish school performance. Without help, can cause recurring nightmares and disabling fears. Without help, seeing anyone killed can lead the children or youth to become adult victims or perpetrators of violence. Children & youth can overcome this trauma and often become dedicated to creating safer communities.
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First, We Would Investigate |
Second, We Would Investigate |
For Long Term Support |
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On Our Own We Would Try: • Wholesome Pleasures • Less or No TV, Movies, Video/Computer Games • Replace sodas, juices, sugars, fats, fast foods with water, veggies, whole grains, nuts, protein, fruit, slow food • Bedtime Stories and Chats • Back Rubs And Foot Massages • Long Walks/Hikes • Nature • Pets |
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For Parents: • Get help with your own and your child or youth’s grieving process. • Investigate grief groups for the family. • Avoid isolation. Reach out to family, friends and community for help. • Get lots of exercise in nature. • Treat your family to flowers. • Ask neighbors and friends to help keep the child or youth in non-intrusive company. Don’t hurry healing this wound. Grief takes a long time to heal or it can turn into bitterness.. |