The following are some resources that I have learned of that might be useful
to others on the listserv and their colleagues, friends, families:

From a colleague:  An excellent web-resource that parents and others
involved in caring for kids may find helpful.  The url is
http://www.nccev.org/resources/aftermath_index.html
<http://www.nccev.org/resources/aftermath_index.html>  . Its the web-site
for The National Center for Children Exposed to Violence (NCCEV) run out of
the Child Study Center  at Yale.
He also send:
Helping Children Cope with A National Tragedy
The American Psychiatric Association has prepared the following suggestions
to provide families with a starting point to talk with their children about
the recent terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C. These include:
*       It is likely that any child aware of the incident will be affected
by it. Very young children may appear frightened; others may seem sad,
anxious or clingy. For this reason, helping your child grieve and discuss
their reactions to the terrorist attacks is extremely important. Feelings of
anger, fear and anxiety are all normal and appropriate reactions to tragic
incidents.
*       All children should be encouraged to talk about their feelings and
reactions to the tragic attacks. Every child needs a way to express their
fears and ask any questions they might have about the incidents.  If you are
too distraught to speak with your children about the tragedy, ask someone
close to you - or them - to talk to them.
*       Limit how much TV coverage your children watch about the tragedy.
Watching constant replays of the attacks can embed the incident in the minds
of children.
*       Assure your children that they are safe. Let them know that law
enforcement are doing everything they can to prevent the attacks from
recurring, and that proper security measures are being put in place to keep
Americans safe.
*       When your children ask questions, answer them honestly, and use
words and concepts they can understand. It's OK to tell them there are some
things that nobody can explain.
*       Some children may need specific explanations about the attack
repeated several times. Acknowledge that the fear of the unknown - who the
attackers are, what happened to the victims, what happens to their families
- can make children even more worried. Tell your children that organizations
like the Red Cross, as well as local physicians and clergy, are doing
everything they can to help the victims and their families.
*       Young children may ask questions such as "Why did the pilots or God
let this happen?" or "What will happen to the children of the people who
were killed?" Older children, particularly adolescents, may be concerned
about what's next. A plausible explanation might be "There are some people
who do very bad things. They may be angry about something and think this is
a good way to get attention."
*       Talk to your child's teacher and find out what the school plans in
terms of discussion or support services. If your children are having
difficulty discussing their feelings, encourage them to draw pictures or
write about their feelings. This can help reduce the level of fear and
anxiety they might be experiencing.
*       Help your child resume a normal routine as quickly as possible.
Children will benefit from a sense of normalcy and stability, including
familiar activities, people and places.
*       While it is normal for a child to express feelings of anger, fear or
sadness after a tragic incident, if these feelings persist or worsen, it is
recommended that parents consult a mental health professional.  Symptoms
that should be watched are anxiety, sleep disturbances, excessive fears and
social and/or academic problems.


From another colleague: Some other possibilities for healing are described
on the following page from the website of the American Psychological
Association.  It also describes common emotional reactions to disaster.
http://helping.apa.org/therapy/traumaticstress.html
<http://helping.apa.org/therapy/traumaticstress.html>


Cheers,

Chuck Shields
Executive Director
Canadian Cardiovascular Society
222 Queen St., Suite 1403
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 5V9

Tel.  613-569-3407 ext. 400
FAX 613-569-6574
email [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
www.ccs.ca <http://www.ccs.ca>


NOTE:   The Canadian Cardiovascular Congress 2001 (including the CCS
Scientific Meeting) will take place from Oct. 21 to 24, at the World Trade
and Convention Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia