We understand the recent mass shooting in the City of Buffalo has impacted many both directly and indirectly. This senseless act of violence injured 13 innocent people, claiming the lives of 10 victims. The mass shooting has been identified as a racially motivated attack and hate crime.

Girl Scouts of Western New York stands in unity with the victims, their loved ones, and the community. It is important to note that anti-racism and actively fighting against hate is a clear pillar of Girl Scouting and a value we hold dear.

We understand this is challenging for our girls, and our community to process. GSWNY has compiled a list of resources to help all of us navigate this difficult time.

Available Resources

GSUSA’s Raising Awesome Girls content: It’s Okay to Not be Okay and When Violence on the News Shakes Her World

 For child-centered trauma resources

• The Red Cross Mental Health fact sheet can help adults understand common reactions to a crisis and when to seek help
• The National School Crisis Center has resources which offer practical tips for supporting youth and opening conversations  – for example, here is one on Talking to children about tragedies
• The National Child Traumatic Stress Network—has many resources on grief and trauma, but here are some aimed at helping adults talk to children about violent events. While many are targeted to parents, they could also be helpful for troop leaders:
  • Tip Sheet on Coping After Mass Violence: provides common reactions children and families may be experiencing after a mass violence event and what they can do to take care of themselves
  • Guidance for parents for helping youth after mass violence and another with guidance for parents on helping youth after a recent shooting: Offers parents guidance on helping their children after a mass violence event including identifying reactions children may have, how parents can help them, and self-care tips after a violent event.
  • After a Crisis: Offers tips to parents on how to help young children, toddlers, and preschoolers heal after a traumatic event.
  • Tip Sheet for Teens on Coping after Violence

For child-centered grief resources

• Guiding Adults in Talking to Children: Provides ways to navigate children’s questions about death, funerals, and memorials. This fact sheet discusses this challenging, but manageable, task and includes sample Q&A to help guide discussions.
• The National Alliance for Children’s Grief (NACG) offers videos and an FAQ section aimed at understanding grief in children and helping caring adults guide them through loss.  Their “Hero Toolkit” offers activities for talking about grief with children and teens

For mental health crises

• Call 911
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255 or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org for online emotional support
• The Crisis Text Line connects you to a trained crisis counselor to receive free, 24/7 crisis support via text message: Text NAMI to 741741

• National Alliance for Children’s Grief (NACG) links to local support groups and professionals 
• SAMHSA’s Helpline – 1-800-662-HELP (4357) is free, confidential, 24/7 treatment referral and information (in English and Spanish)
• Mental Health America (MHA) links to affiliates across the country and offers resources for finding treatment

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network has developed resources to help children, families, and communities navigate what they are seeing and hearing, acknowledge their feelings, and find ways to cope together. These resources include:

• Coping After Mass Violence
• For Teens: Coping After Mass Violence (En Español)
• Assisting Parents/Caregivers in Coping with Collective Traumas
• Helping Youth after Community Trauma: Tips for Educators (En Español)
• Addressing Race and Trauma in the Classroom: A Resource for Educators
• Talking with Children about Hate Crimes and Anti-Semitism
• Parent Guidelines for Helping Youth After Mass Violence
• Talking to Children about Mass Violence
• Teacher Guidelines for Helping Students after Mass Violence
• Psychological Impact of Mass Violence
• Racial Injustices and Trauma: African Americans in the US: NCTSN Position Statement
• Helping Teens with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers (En Español)
• Helping School-Age Children with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers (En Español)
• Helping Young Children with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers (En Español)
• The Power of Parenting: How to Help Your Child After a Parent or Caregiver Dies
• After a Crisis: Helping Young Children Heal
• Age-Related Reactions to a Traumatic Event
• Once I Was Very Very Scared – Children’s book for young children 
• Pause-Reset-Nourish (PRN) to Promote Wellbeing (En Español) (For responders)

Psychological First Aid and Skills for Psychological Recovery

The NCTSN also has resources for responders on Psychological First Aid (PFA; En Español). PFA is an early intervention to support children, adolescents, adults, and families impacted by these types of events. PFA Mobile and the PFA Wallet Card (En Español) provide a quick reminder of the core actions. The PFA online training course is also available on the NCTSN Learning Center. PFA Handouts include:

• Parent Tips for Helping Infants and Toddlers (En Español)
• Parent Tips for Helping Preschoolers (En Español)
• Parent Tips for Helping School-Age Children (En Español)
• Parent Tips for Helping Adolescents (En Español)
• Tips for Adults (En Español)

From the National Mass Violence and Victimization Resource Center

• Transcend (mobile app to assist with recovery after mass violence)
• Rebuild your Community: Resources for Community Leaders
• Media Guidelines for Homicide Family Survivors
• Timeline of Activities to Promote Mental Health Recovery
• Self-Help: Resources for Survivors
• E-learning Courses: Trainings for Clinicians
• Resources for Victim Assistance Professionals

From the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress at the Uniformed Services University

• Grief Leadership: Leadership in the Wake of Tragedy
• Leadership Communication: Anticipating and Responding to Stressful Events
• Coping with Stress Following a Mass Shooting

Disaster Helpline

SAMHSA has a Disaster Distress Helpline – call or text 1-800-985-5990 (for Spanish, press “2”) to be connected to a trained counselor 24/7/365.