post-traumatic stress if a catastrophe has occurred at school (i.e., shooting of teacher or
students, natural disaster, etc.) Symptoms of post-traumatic stress include:
➢ Re-experiencing the traumatic event (flashbacks).
➢ Avoidance of stimuli the person associates with the traumatic event.
➢ Numbing of general responsiveness.
➢ Pattern of distressful behavior that lasts longer than one month.
As with any severe anxiety, the helper can assist by:
➢ Providing a safe and supportive environment.
➢ Reassuring the person that the reaction is a normal reaction to abnormal stress.
➢ Helping the person discharge "pent-up" emotions and pain.
Often, counseling groups provide the most support for the individual, particularly teenagers.
The ideal group size is from six to eight members. The group sessions should be time-limited to
provide mutual support and understanding as each group member deals with their reactions to
the traumatic event.
Death
The sudden loss of a student or adult in the school system is a tragic event and can be a point of
crisis for the school system. The school community's response to the death situation will set the
stage for how well people cope with the loss. The best approach to death is to acknowledge the
death, encourage people to express their emotions and feelings, and provide adequate supportive
assistance and counseling.
Bereavement
Bereavement is the process of grieving. The process is unique for each person and may last from
six months to two years.
Grief
Grief is the sorrow, emotions, and confusion we experience as a result of the death of someone
or loss of something essential to us. All people grieve differently, depending upon their own
life experiences. However, all grief is painful, and like all other pain, the body's first reaction
to grief may be a feeling of numbness as if one were in shock.