Trauma Response Resources for Families and Congregations
The Boston Marathon bombing calls for Unitarian Universalist responses. Find resources for helping children, families, and communities process trauma, disaster, and violence on a page by the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Resource Development Office.
- Helping children and adolescents cope with violence and disasters: What community members can do.
A guide by the National Institute for Mental Health, for teachers, parents, clergy and community. Download the 20-page PDF, which is well presented and accessible.
- Managing Your Distress in an Aftermath of a Shooting
This is an excellent, well-written guide for parents and other adults by the American Psychological Association, published 2008. One of the best ways to help children is to put ourselves—parents, teachers, congregation members—on a path towards healing. This document could be very helpful.
- Tips for Parents of School Age Children: Helping Your Children Manage Distress in the Aftermath of School Shootings
Aimed specifically at parents working with their children. From the American Psychological Association, 2007.
- Helping Young Children Deal with Violence in the News
PBS Parents series about talking to your kids about the news.
- A Resource for Young People Who Have Personally Experienced Trauma
The National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement has many resources online that can help in times of crisis.
Recommended Titles
- Trauma in the Lives of Children: Crisis and Stress Management Techniques by Kendall Johnson.
- Children and Trauma—A Guide for Parents and Professionals by Cynthia Monahon.
- A Terrible Thing Happened—a story for children who have witness violence or trauma, by Margaret M. Holmes—addresses the need for children to find a place to speak about their experiences.
Crisis Planning/Preparation
- Children's Ministry offers information on Critical Lockdown Procedures.
- The U.S. Department of Education offers information on Emergency Planning.
Promote Congregational Safety
- Protecting Your Church from Crime and Violence. Nine chapters. Particularly recommended: "A Shooter in the House—A Police Officer's Advice on How to Prevent and React to, a Gunman at Church." The entire document is 24 pages long.
- Confronting Gun Violence at Church. Nine chapters. Particularly recommended: "Should Our Church Have an Armed Security Guard?" The entire document is 22 pages long.
For more information contact religiouseducation @ uua.org.
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Last updated on Tuesday, April 16, 2013.
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