Grief & Psychological First Aid

I Miss YouOur thoughts and prayers are with all those who are impacted by tragedy or disaster which we know is not enough.  As School Social Workers, we are ideally positioned to provide critical services and support. Below are just a few resources to assist you in working with students, schools, families and communities.     See also the links to crisis response organization websites contributing these articles for more.    We hope these will be of some help. 


Age-Related Reactions to a Traumatic Event (PDF)   National Child Traumatic Stress Network

After a Love One Dies–Parent Booklet  (Available in English,   Spanish  &  Japanese) (24 to 33 pages) National Center for School Crisis & Bereavement

Childhood Traumatic Grief Resources for Educators  National Child Traumatic Stress Network

Children & Grief    American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

camps and programs, and related resources

**Coalition to Support Grieving Students**  “[A]n innovative multimedia resource designed to empower educators and school professionals in their efforts to support grieving students as they cope with loss.”
Numerous resources.    Read more!

Coping with Traumatic Events:  Resources for Children, Parents, Educators & Other Professionals      Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

Crisis Counseling–Psychological First Aid  FEMA

**Crisis Intervention Resources for School Personnel**   (Password: ssw )  Developed by School Social Worker, Jerry Ciffone and made available with his permission.  The documents are made available as a gesture of good will to assist school social workers and other school personal wanting to provide emergency mental health assistance to student groups in the aftermath of a student death or other critical incident. Permission is granted by Jerry Ciffone to download and print these documents for internal use only within the school system where the tragic event has occurred.  Editor’s note:  Excellent Resources.  Includes crisis bereavement group intervention and debriefing by SSWs guidelines and MUCH more. 

Guidelines for Responding to the Death of a Student or School Staff   Source:  National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement

Guidelines for Talking to Children About Terrorist Attacks and School & Community Shootings in the News     (2 pages) Source: National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement

Helping Children & Adolescents Cope with Violence & Disasters: What Parents Can Do    Download PDF Booklet (10 pages)  Source:  National Institute of Mental Health

How to Deal with Grief.   Explains how to deal with grief as a normal response to loss or death. Describes how grief feels, how long it lasts, the four-step grieving process, and how grief differs from depression. Lists resources for more information.   SAMHSA

How to Deal with Grief    (Panjabi)     Punjabi version of KEN01-0104, prompted by a violent incident at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin in August 2012. Explains how to deal with grief as a normal response to loss or death. Describes how grief feels, how long it lasts, the four-step grieving process, and how grief differs from depression. Lists resources for more information.   SAMHSA

Information on Traumatic Grief  National Child Traumatic Stress Network

It’s OK to Remember.     This video provides information regarding traumatic grief in children, addresses the three main types of trauma reminders, and illustrates how families can experience the pain of loss and then heal. It features physicians and experts in the field and is appropriate for parents and others who care for children.    National Child Traumatic Stress Network

Practical Suggestions for Assisting Children in the Aftermath of a Tragedy   National Center for Crisis Management

Psychological First Aid   Department of Homeland Security   www.ready.gov  

Psychological First Aid Field Operations Guide
“The National Child Traumatic Stress Network and the National Center for PTSD are pleased to make the Second Edition of Psychological First Aid Field Operations Guide and accompanying handouts available. Psychological First Aid (PFA)  is an evidence-informed approach for assisting children, adolescents, adults, and families in the aftermath of disaster and terrorism.  Access all versions of Psychological First Aid (PFA), including translations and adaptations here.”  (189 pages, 2006)   Also available in English, Spanish, Japanese, & Chinese

Psychological First Aid Field Operations Guide Terrorism and Disaster Branch  New York Office of Mental Health:  National Child Traumatic Stress Network and National Center for PTSD, Psychological First Aid: Field Operations Guide, September, 2005.

Psychological First Aid for Children, Parents and Other Caregivers After Natural Disasters    National Center for School Crisis & Bereavement

Psychological First Aid for Students & Teachers    National Center for School Crisis & Bereavement

Psychological First Aid for First Responders  SAMHSA

Psychological First Aid for Schools    The National Child Traumatic Stress Network

Psychological First Aid for Students and Teachers     U.S. Department of Education.  Emergency Response and Crisis Management Technical Assistance Management

Psychological First Aid Online is a free 6-hour interactive course in the Learning Center for Child and Adolescent Trauma that puts the participant in the role of a provider in a post-disaster scene. Appropriate for those new to disaster response and seasoned professionals, PFA Online features activities, video demonstrations, and tips from trauma experts and survivors. This project was funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, US Department of Health and Human Services, the National Center for PTSD, and the the National Association of County and City Health Officials, and the HHS Office of the Surgeon General, Office of the Civilian Volunteer Medical Reserve Corps.

Responding to the Death of a Student or School Staff  (4 pages) National Center for School Crisis & Bereavement

Talking to Children About Tragedies and other News Events   Source:  American Academy of Pediatrics

Tips for Talking With and Helping Children and Youth Cope After a Disaster or Traumatic Event   Source:  SAMHSA

Traumatic Stress:  An Overview   National Center for Crisis Management

When Families Grieve: Sesame Street tackles the difficult topic of death and provides a number of resources and videos (in English, Spanish and with subtitles) of families’ personal stories about coping with the death of a parent, as well as strategies that have helped these families move forward for both military and nonmilitary families.       Sesame Street


Crisis Response Resources:  NYSSSWA Membership Dollars At Work

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