By Steve Alexander Reporter
Published: Fri, March 07, 2008 - 12:09 am
Last Updated: Fri, March 07, 2008 - 12:20 am
Last Updated: Fri, March 07, 2008 - 12:20 am
Steve Alexander
David Beech is a counselor for AltaPointe Health Systems.
AltaPointe sent counselors to Davidson High School to talk to students.
Beech says counselors listen and ask questions.
He says counselors will ask students, " 'Tell me about what happened, when it happened, what did you see,' to really start eliciting information and trying to get them to connect that information with some feelings so they can then begin to start processing it. "
Family counselor Barry Swope with Focal Point Professional Services says many young people haven't developed ways to cope with difficult situations.
Swope says, "If you got arrested, that would be a difficult thing. But to a child it can be devastating. They could think their lives could be over."
What advice do counselors give if you have a child affected by this tragedy?
Beech says, "I always encourage parents to talk about it. Go ahead and bring it up. Don't wait for the child to be the first person to bring it up."
Swope says, "If you got a child that was part of this in any way, or is traumatized, get them talking about it. Get some dialog going."
And there's always fear such a tragedy could hit close to home.
Counselors say parents should listen to what children say verbally as well as non-verbally.
They say warning signs of depression can be any changes in the regular routine, like mood changes, or changes in sleeping or eating habits.
Watch WKRG News Five or log on to wkrg.com for the latest updates.
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What do yo say to children about a tragedy such as this? I know of no words that will make the family and friends instantly forget this tragedy,But in my feeble attemp ,I might tell all the young people,Life is the most precious thing in all the universe and very short,even if it isn,t cut even shorter by such a tragedy.Help those you can and love all,even when it’s very hard to do so.For those who seem troubled,listen and do what you can to help and tell them your both walking the same path,just with different bumps in the road.Although it dosen’t seem like it sometimes,we are all one family.Don’t expect too much out of life,try to enjoy what you have received and give as many hugs as you can,that is an act that crosses all languages and people and says love.