MARYSVILLE — Grief may look different on kids.
Experts encourage adults to take note of any changes in their child’s behavior. Chatty kids may withdraw. Easygoing teens may suddenly lash out.
Some kids may become preoccupied with what happened Friday when a freshman opened fire in the Marysville Pilchuck High School cafeteria. There will be others who avoid talking about the violence.
Changes may show up immediately or take weeks to surface.
Parents don’t need to navigate alone, said Marge Martin, the executive director of Victim Support Services.
“We’re available whenever anyone needs us,” Martin said.
The Everett-based victim advocacy group provides trained staff around the clock through its crisis line. Victim Support Services also offers free counseling with its therapist.
Additionally, any student who was at the high school on Friday is eligible to receive benefits through the state’s Crime Victim Compensation Program, Martin said.
The program can pay for mental health counseling. Victim Support Services can assist with completing the form so students can apply for benefits.
Teachers can file a claim through the state Department of Labor and Industries, Martin said.
Victim Support Services also can organize teen group sessions. Teens may be more comfortable talking to their peers. Often kids may not want to talk one-on-one with a mental health professional. The teen sessions can be held at a school, church, library or anywhere that meets the needs of the community.
There also are resources online. One Martin recommends is a guide from the New York University Langone Medical Center’s Child Study Center. It was developed after the shooting at Virginia Tech in 2007.
“Pay attention to your children’s emotions and behaviors, and talk with them about any concerns you have about their reactions,” it says.
Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463, hefley@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @dianahefley
Resources
Victim Support Services: 425-252-6081 and 24/7 Hotline: 800-346-7555
Michelle Pauley, a trauma-informed therapist: 425-953-6222
Crime Victim Compensation Program: 800-762-3716 or visit www.lni.wa.gov
Tips for parents are available at www.aboutourkids.org
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