Since September 11, 2001 we have had to learn more about trauma and post- traumatic stress than we ever believed would be necessary on a national scale. Citizens of the entire world, including children, witnessed destructive acts that have caused stress and fear. Some of those who have had previous experiences with violence, which may include victims of child abuse and domestic violence, may be experiencing post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Experts expect that, as time goes on, many more individuals may have PTSD symptoms.

We have put together this list of a few of the many resources available as a reference to use now and in the weeks and months to come, as adults and children react to these events each in their own way and according to their own emotional timetables. We expect that additional resources will continue to be developed and made available through a variety of media, and encourage anyone using this resource list to consider it a starting point to locate more current information as it is written and disseminated.

Talking with Children and Responding to Their Needs

• National Education Association (NEA) Crisis Communications Guide & Toolkit
  This extensive online resource contains sections on:
  • Being Prepared: Before a Crisis
  • Being Responsive: During a Crisis
  • Being Diligent: Moving Beyond Crisis
  • Hands-on Assistance: Tools for Educators

• National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) Crisis Resources
  The NASP has provided a number of resources that offer useful information on what to look for in children, what to say, and how adults can help. Topics include 9/11 anniversary, war/terrorism, suicide, natural disasters, trauma, and general crisis materials.

• Talking with Kids about Tough Issues
  This campaign from the Kaiser Family Foundation and Children Now has added information on talking about terrorism to its existing materials on sex, violence, HIV/AIDS, drugs, and alcohol.

• Prepare Respond Recover
  This organization, whose mission "is to provide safety planning and disaster response and recovery support to individuals and small-to-midsize businesses," was focused on natural and man-made disasters. They responded to the attacks of September 11 by providing information specific to the needs of children, including recognizing stress in children, outreach for children, strategies for parents and teachers, the benefits of play, and age-specific interventions.

• American Psychological Association (APA)
  The APA offers Reactions And Guidelines For Children Following Trauma/ Disaster, which provides information about reactions that may be seen in elementary, middle school, and high school students as well as guidelines for both teachers and parents of children in each of these age groups. Their website also contains other useful resources on trauma, stress, and coping with terrorism.

Responding to Your Own Needs and Those of Other Adults

Some of the sources listed above also contain information about stress and trauma reactions in adults. See in particular the website of the American Psychological Association (APA). Additional resources are available from:

• Emergency Mental Health and Traumatic Stress
  The National Mental Health Information Center of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration offers a variety of online resources, including tips for talking about disasters with both children and adults, a mental health services locator, and links to information available from other government offices.

• Disaster Mental Health: Dealing with the Aftereffects of Terrorism
  The National Center for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) offers an extensive list of materials for professionals working with disaster victims as well as information for the general public. Other categories of people addressed include veterans, victims of trauma, clinicians, researchers, students, journalists, family members of those struggling with PTSD, and policy makers.

• When Hurt Leads to Hate: Preventing Your Child's Feelings of Anger from Leading to Actions of Bias and Hate
  This article from the New York University Child Study Center is presented on their About our Kids website. Also included is a list of references and resources on the subject for further reading.

• What to Tell Your Child about Prejudice and Discrimination
  The National PTA provides this article in English and Spanish, in addition to other resources on talking with children about the terror attacks.

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