Unfortunately, there are tragic events that hit our countries, cities, and schools that drastically impact our families and students. Below are some resources to for you to use in times of need:

Updated: October 18, 2023

*Indicates new item

Relevant and recent webinars on Crisis and Trauma Informed Care

• Responding and Recovering from a Death in the School Community, with Dr. Scott Poland, webinar presented on August 23, 2023 (Webinar link and Workshop presentation slides)

• Trauma Informed Practices with Janice Holland, webinar presented on March 10, 2022. Video recording and folder of resources. 
• Crisis Intervention in Schools: Practical Tips for School Mental Health Professional with Dr. Scott Poland, webinar presented on March 2, 2022. Video recording and presentation slides. 

Discussing the Events in Israel 

• Discussing War and Conflict from Learning for Justice. The October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks by Hamas against Israel and the resulting declaration of war by Israel have far-reaching effects and are especially difficult for children with connections to the region, as well as for those who have experienced war and conflict. This LFJ page offers resources for educators, parents and caregivers to help facilitate crucial conversations and support young people.

• Handling with Care: Supporting Young People During Crisis from Learning for Justice. For families, educators and community members who must respond to the needs of children as a traumatizing event unfolds, this LFJ article provides recommendations and resources.

Responding to Crisis, Death or Trauma

• Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers from NASP
• Script from Dr. Poland Crisis Debriefing Model for talking with students or staff after a crisis
• *Age-based tips and lessons to help students process upsetting events from Common Sense Media
• *How to talk to your children about conflict and war - 8 Tips from UNCIEF
• Coping After Disaster for Adults and Children from APA
• How to Talk to Kids About Violence, Crime, and War, From: Common Sense Media
• How to Talk To Your Kids About Ukraine, From: The New York Times
• Talking to your Kids about War, From: Very Well Family
• Helping Children Cope with Terrorism, From: National Association of School Psychologists
• How to Talk to Kids About Conflict and War-Tips & Resources for Parents from: Linden Global Learning
• Nine Tips for Talking with Kids About Trauma from Greater Good
• Resources for Peace and Conflict from Greater Good
• Disaster and Trauma Responses of Children from American Counseling Association
• Disaster and Trauma Effects on Parents from American Counseling Association
  
• Talking to Children About Death from ADAPP Grief Guidelines for Parents

• Student Psychoeducational Groups in School Crisis Intervention -The PREPaRE Model

• Crisis Response Checklist from Crisis & Trauma Resource Institute
• Sample Protocol for Staff or Student Death - This manual was developed in order to assist building administrators and other crisis team members in dealing with the many events and possible situations that may arise due to an unfortunate loss.
• Grief Response Procedures Manual - Sample Protocol from a USA District
• Guidelines for Responding to the Death of a Student or School Staff from the National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement
• Addressing Grief: Tips for Teachers and Administrators from National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)
• Coalition to Support Grieving Students - Modules and videos to guide educators through best practice responses
• NSU Expert Provides Tips on Dealing with Grief in the Wake of Tragic Events with Dr. Scott Poland

Discussing the Events in Israel 

• Discussing War and Conflict from Learning for Justice. The October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks by Hamas against Israel and the resulting declaration of war by Israel have far-reaching effects and are especially difficult for children with connections to the region, as well as for those who have experienced war and conflict. This LFJ page offers resources for educators, parents and caregivers to help facilitate crucial conversations and support young people.
  
• Handling with Care: Supporting Young People During Crisis from Learning for Justice. For families, educators and community members who must respond to the needs of children as a traumatizing event unfolds, this LFJ article provides recommendations and resources.

Discussing the Events in Ukraine

• How to Talk to Kids About Violence, Crime, and War, From: Common Sense Media
• How to Talk To Your Kids About Ukraine, From: The New York Times
• Talking to your Kids about War, From: Very Well Family
• Helping Children Cope with Terrorism, From: National Association of School Psychologists
• Resilience in a time of war: Tips for parents and teachers of elementary school children, From: American Psychological Association
  
• Resilience in a time of war: Tips for parents and teachers of middle school children, From: American Psychological Association
• Resources to Discuss the Events in Ukraine for Families and Educators, From: San Diego County Office of Education
• Activities to Help Grieving Children, From: Happiful
• Teaching Ideas: Stand with Refugees from OXFAM
• Supporting Youth Affected by the War in Ukraine: Tips for Caregivers and Educators from NASP
• Witnessing War and Disaster from afar: How to prevent ‘remote exposure trauma’ in kids and teens. from Lea Waters
• A School Staff Guide for Supporting Students Impacted by the Crisis in Ukraine - from Sea Change Mentoring. A fantastic resource!
• How to talk to your Kids about Ukraine -New York Times
• How to Talks to Student about the Russia-Ukraine War -Edu Week
• Resources For Educators and Families to Discuss The Events in Ukraine with Students 
• The Choices Program: Brown University--Lesson Resources
• Global Dimension Focus Topic: Russia- Ukraine. 

Responding to School Shootings

• Helping Students after a School Shooting from American School Counselor Association  

• Managing your distress in the aftermath of a shooting from APA

Counseling Support 

• SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline - Provides 24/7, 365-day-a-year crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters.
• Linden Global Learning - Online therapeutic support for students and families.

• The Truman Group - Offers psychological care for expats virtually. Sessions are conducted via secure, confidential streaming video.
  

• Child Mind Institute: Telehealth Services for Children and Teens  - Remote consultations and telehealth treatment for children, teens, and young adults struggling with mental health concerns including anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism and OCD.)
  

• William & Associates Counseling Services - Online global clinical counseling 

• 
  

Helpful Articles and Fact Sheets

• Big Feelings Come and Go (for younger children), From: Canadian Centre for Child Protection
  
• My Self-Care Plan: Primary Students (includes downloadable plan for your children to fill out), From: Anna Freud National Center for Children and Families
• My Self-Care Plan: Secondary Students (includes downloadable plan for your children to fill out), From: Anna Freud National Center for Children and Families
• Helping Your Students Cope with a Violent World, From: George Lucas Educational Foundation
• Family Tip Sheet: 5 Pathways to Family Calmness, From: The Resilient Educator
• How to Support Teens’ Mental Health During COVID and Beyond, From: The Greater Good, Berkeley
• Worried About a Friend? Use Your E.D.G.E., From: Learning for Justice
• Building Emotional Intelligence in Children, From: Hey Sigmund
• Disaster and Trauma Responses of Children - Fact sheet about how children respond to disaster and trauma from the American Counselor Association (ACA)
• Disaster and Trauma Responses on Parents from ACA
• Addressing Grief: Tips for Teachers and Administrators from NASP
• 1:1 Crisis Counseling - Fact sheet from ACA  
• Helping Children Cope with Terrorism from NASP
• Recovery From Large-Scale Crises: Guidelines for Crisis Teams and Administrators from NASP
• Grief Counseling in a Digital World
• Culturally Competent Response to Crisis- Information for School Psychologists and Crisis Teams from NASP
• Coping with Traumatic Events from National Institute of Mental Health
• Help for Helpers - Caring for yourself while helping others
• Grief Handout - Some facts Psychologists know about grief from Psychological Services Center
• National Child Traumatic Stress Network - Traumatic Grief Education Materials
• Grief counseling - What is it?
• The high cost of human-made disasters from Counseling Today. The article focuses on the role of a counselor in restoring trust and control.
• Talking to children about death: A brief guide for parents from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry 
• Building Emotional Intelligence in Children: Talking About Sadness, Loss, and Grief from Hey Sigmund
• Activities to Help Grieving Children

Books

• Recommended books for children coping with loss or trauma by NASP
• Helping Traumatized Students Learn - Books from Trauma and Learning Policy Initiative
• Best Practices in Crisis Prevention and Intervention
• Counseling Strategies for Loss and Grief
  
• When Children Grieve: For Adults to Help Children Deal with Death, Divorce, Pet Loss, Moving and Other Losses
  
• When A Friend Dies: A Book for Teens About Grieving and Healing
  
• I Will Remember You: What to do when someone you love dies: A Guidebook Through Grief for Teens
  
• You Are Not Alone: Teens Talk About Life After the Loss of a Parent
  
• How to Survive the Loss of a Love
  
• Healing After Divorce for Kids
• The Healing Your Grieving Heart Journal for Teens

Websites

• National Association of School Psychologists 
• American Counselor Association
• Crisis and Trauma Resource Center - Provide training (in-person and online), consulting, books, and free resources in the areas of trauma, mental health, counselling skills, and violence prevention.
• Dougy Center: When Death Impacts Your School - The Dougy Center provides a safe place for children, teens, young adults and their families who are grieving a death to share their experiences.
• Safe and Sounder Schools
  
• National Alliance on Grieving Children
• Center for Loss - Dedicated to helping people who are grieving and those who care for them.

Videos

• Video on the Grieving Process
• Hoping in the Midst of Grief - This short film highlights the different emotions explored through a number of young people's personal journeys of grief and loss.
• The Parenting Junkie: How to Talk to Kids About Death (Role Play) - Watch how to explain death to a young child

Training

• NASP Training - PREPaRE Training Curriculum and Workshops
• Student Protection in International Schools - A School Counselor's Role at ISCA Academy 
• Youth Mental Health First Aid training at ISCA Academy
• Crisis and Trauma Resource Center - Provide training (in-person and online), consulting, books, and free resources in the areas of trauma, mental health, counseling skills, and violence prevention.
• Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS) - Trauma based CBT that uses writing and storytelling as well as a rating scale with relaxation techniques
• European School Psychology Center for Training - Provides training, resources, and a European community to school psychologists mainly in the field of “Crisis Management in Schools"

Other

• The Recovery Village: Grief
• The Recovery Village: Depression and Substance Abuse
• Sample Crisis Letter
• 6 Podcasts to Help You Cope with Loss

If you have other resources to share or contribute to this section please email us or share your thoughts on our Forum page.