Somatic Reactions;

1. Loss of appetite

2. Overeating

3. Indigestion.

4. Vomiting

5. Sleep disturbances, nightmares, night terrors.

Emotional and Behavioural Reactions

1. Generalized fear (darkness, strangers, “monsters”)

2. Regressive symptoms (thumb sucking, bedwetting, immature speech)

3. Appears helpless and passive

4. Repetitive talking about experience or, conversely, a lack of verbalization about experience

5. Short attention span

6. Irritability

7. Overactive

8. Exhibits anxious attachments, such as clinging, not wanting to be away from parents

9. Demonstrates cognitive confusion (does not understand that the danger is over)

10. Develops anxieties related to incomplete understanding of the finality of death; fantasizes about repairing the situation

Suggested First Aid

1. Provide physical comfort such as food, rest, holding, rocking, bedtime routine.

2. Reassure the child that he or she has adult protection.

3. Give repeated concrete clarifications of events.

4. Encourage communication with parents and teachers.

5. Provide help in verbalizing general feelings and complaints.

6. Explain the physical reality of death.

7. Contact parents/guardians.

Referral to a mental health agency may be considered if the student exhibits some of the symptoms that follow: (Note the key words which are italicised.)

1. Is severely depressed and withdrawn

2. Seems excessively agitated, with restlessness and pacing 3. Talks about death

4. Complains of significant memory gaps

5. Talks about feeling detached from body

6. Shows uncharacteristic signs of self-neglect

7. Engages in obviously self-destructive behaviour, intentionally hurting self or has repeated “accidents” that result in injury

8. Indicates feelings of excessive guilt, or believes that he/she is somehow responsible

9. Is unable to make simple decisions or carry out everyday functions

10. Speech overflows and is excessively rapid

11. Uses drugs and alcohol excessively

12. Has unreasonable fears that someone or something is out to get him/her or their family

13. Demonstrates a drastic change of personality or temperament

14. Hallucinates, is disoriented, or otherwise shows obvious signs of disturbed mental processes

15. Evidences, for a month or longer, symptoms that are considered normal but that disrupt social, mental, or physical functioning

Extract from “From Chaos to Control: School Crisis Response”