Experts say children may need extra support and reassurance from their parents after hearing about violent events in the news, such as Tuesday’s mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia.
Six children between the ages of 11 and 13, along with two 39-year-old women, were killed in the shootings at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and a home in the small, close-knit community. A 12-year-old girl and a 19-year-old woman remain in hospital.
Dr. Tyler Black, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at the University of British Columbia, said there’s no need for parents to bring up violent events if their children are not already aware of them. However, he noted that some children may hear about the tragedy online or through friends.
Black said children and teens who are exposed to the story may need help processing the news or correcting misinformation.
“Young kids need a lot of reassurance about safety, whereas teenagers are going to have to process more about the injustice, the unfairness and the violence of it,” he said.
Black said some signs of stress or trauma to watch for include changes in behaviour, such as withdrawal, aggression, reluctance to go to school or persistent nightmares.
He noted that losing interest in activities or experiencing physical symptoms like fatigue can also be signs of depression and may require professional support.
“We want kids to be able to feel and experience the normal emotions that occur with grief, sadness or tragic events,” said Black. “We just want them to also be aware that they’re safe.”
Dr. Kara Brisson-Boivin, director of research at the digital media literacy organization MediaSmarts, recommends starting by asking children and teens what they’ve heard about a difficult news story.
“This is an opportunity to correct any misconceptions and provide any necessary reassurances,” she said.
When talking with younger children about tragic events, Brisson-Boivin said parents should stick to the facts and reinforce that they are safe.
With older tweens and teens, she said it can help for parents to share some of their own feelings.
“You can talk to them about how the news is making you feel sad, scared or angry,” she said. “This can help them open up and perhaps share how they’re feeling.”
However, Brisson-Boivin emphasized that parents should take care of their own mental health before having these conversations.
“Sometimes that means taking a break from news or media,” she said, comparing it to putting on your own oxygen mask on a plane before helping others.
Premier David Eby and other government officials have pledged to support the community of Tumbler Ridge as it recovers from the tragedy.
“There are going to be some long days, weeks and months ahead,” Eby said during a visit to the community on Wednesday.
On-site mental health supports were offered at the community centre throughout the week, and counselling appointments were available at the local health centre. The premier’s office said more than a dozen clinical workers, along with additional support staff, were on the ground in Tumbler Ridge.
Black said the community will need a sustained, trauma-informed approach to support residents, including ongoing school-based mental health services for students and teachers.
“It has to be beyond just a few weeks,” he said.
