As our community continues to process, respond, support one another and grieve the horrific racially-motivated events of Saturday, May 14, 2022, we wanted to share the following resources. We hope these resources assist you in your grief, as well as assisting you with supporting your colleagues, community and clients. The links below lead to fact sheets from the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress and Resources and resources from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network on supporting children, families, responders and leaders in responds to the massacre that occurred.
Thank you for all you do, day-in and day-out, to help our Erie County families and community. Buffalo Strong!
Resources & Services for Residents Impacted by Buffalo Shooting (ny.gov)
Resources in Response to the Buffalo Supermarket Hate Crime
The recent racially motivated hate crime at the Tops supermarket in Buffalo, NY in which the perpetrator targeted a Black community and has expressed white supremacy and anti-Semitic leanings has evoked a range of emotions and concerns of safety across the United States. In response to this event, 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:
For Teens: Coping after Mass Violence (En Espanol)
Assisting Parents/Caregivers in Coping with Collective Traumas
Helping Youth after Community Trauma: Tips for Educators (En Espanol)
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 U.S.: NCTSN Position Statement
Helping Teens with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers (En Espanol)
Helping School-Age Children with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers (En Espanol)
Helping Young Children with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers (En Espanol)
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 Espanol) (for responders)
Psychological First Aid and Skills for Psychological Recovery
The NCTSN also has resources for responders on Psychological First Aid (PFAl En Espanol). 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 Espanol) provide a quick reminder of the core actions. The PFA online training course is also available on the NCTSN Learning Center.
Additional Resources --
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.
For those that are needing technical assistance or additional resources, they can contact Dr. Melissa Bymer at mbrymer@mednet.ucla.edu.
Matthew Canuteson
Diversity and Inclusion Officer
Office of Diversity and Inclusion
NYS Office of Mental Health
Albany, NY