Returning To Class The Morning After Massacre Summary

In the article ‘Returning to class the morning after a massacre’ in The Atlantic, Alia Wong examined the reasons behind a school district’s decision to resume classes immediately after the Las Vegas mass shooting. Wong observed that children are especially vulnerable to trauma caused by acts of community violence. It was suggested that traumatic events may have the following effects on children:
• • Anger
• Anxiety
• Despair
• Paralysis
• Rage
• Self-blame
The author explained that resuming classes provided a sense of normalcy, stability and structure which helped to alleviate these effects. There was comfort in being around familiar people and following a routine. Furthermore, there are school staff who knew the children and are trained
to deliver psychological first aid to help them cope after the event.
However, Wong acknowledged that school staff should be able to maintain composure and provide assurance to the children. In addition, there should be considerations in regard to how the school handle their response. Sending mixed messages, addressing the event in big groups or putting them through stressful situations can aggravate the effects of trauma.
Wong concluded the article with a reminder that the outcomes of trauma may last for a while hence, psychological first aid skills are important to facilitate recovery.