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, which include memorials, the first day back at school, the anniversary of the event, the birthday of the victim and graduation.
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Other “firsts” — the first major holiday, the first activity the victims are missing, the first day of a new school year — also may trigger memories. Provide mental health support for students and staff to help them through these events. Click here for tips on handling benchmark dates. Click here for tips on how to handle first anniversaries.
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Click here for tips on memorials.
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Click here for media tips.
- Places. The specific classroom where the tragedy occurred, the desk of a deceased student or the evacuation site may be painful reminders. Carefully consider how the building will be repaired and remodeled. If there was a violent act, you may not want to reuse the classroom where the incident occurred for some period of time — if ever.
- People. Classmates and teachers who experienced the tragedy together, relatives of victims and first responders can remind each other of the tragedy. Find ways for staff and students to process the event together and support each other.
- Sounds. Helicopters, fire alarms and ambulance sirens often reinforce memories of a crisis. Consider changing the sound of school alarms. Ask news media to keep helicopters away from school events.
- Similar events. A tragedy in another community brings back unwelcome memories. Make sure that mental health support is provided when a similar crisis occurs elsewhere.
- Know that ongoing news coverage of the event, especially showing dramatic scenes of the crisis, has the potential to retraumatize victims. Ask the media to focus on positive images rather than repeatedly replaying gruesome, upsetting footage.
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