Claudia L. Decker
Holy Spirit Hospital, Teenline
503 N. 21st Street
Camp Hill, PA 17011
(717) 763-2345
When schools face a tragedy, individuals and communities are affected in traumatic ways. Often, schools turn to mental
health and crisis intervention personnel to help them cope with the aftermath. Immediate and effective intervention can
parlay the devastating effects of long-term stress reactions related to trauma. Individuals assisting persons in crisis need to
understand the unique aspects of the trauma response and the interventions that help survivors to cope. The individual
experiencing trauma after a disaster such as homicide, suicide, accident, or natural disaster requires special intervention
from crisis personnel.
This presentation will cover the unique way Pennsylvania's Student Assistance program links school and community
resources in helping students and faculty after a tragedy. Information on networking to develop adequate postvention plans
for schools and community groups will be discussed. A model for providing small group counseling services to students
after a tragedy will be included as part of an effective postvention plan. Basic issues in intervention will be highlighted
including information on grief and loss, dealing with distraught or angry parents and students, what to do about memorials
and how to link with community resources. Information from the presenter's own experience in assisting schools and
communities in crisis over the past 12 years will be shared.
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