Girl Scout Strong for Uvalde
Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia is heartbroken to share that one of our Girl Scouts from a sister council was killed during the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Texas this week. The Girl Scout organization mourns the death of Amerie Garza, along with the families of the victims and everyone affected by this violence. For ways you can help our sisters in Uvalde, please visit the Girl Scout Strong for Uvalde web page at www.girlscouts-swtx.org/girlscoutstrong.
How we can help
Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia believes that love and support for our Girl Scouts and families in Southwest Texas is needed now more than ever. Girls are encouraged to create cards for the family and friends of Amerie. Please send your cards to our office in Athens! We will send the cards collectively from our council to our Girl Scouts sister council in Southwest Texas! Thank you all for your kind words and support!
Attn: Christina Smith
185 Newton Bridge Road
Athens, GA 30607
If you have any questions, please email csmith@gshg.org.
Kids and teens are understandably scared and upset when they see acts of extreme violence such as a school shooting, especially when other young people are involved. For guidance on how to talk about the tragedy with girls, the links below from Girl Scouts of the USA may be helpful: When Scary News Shakes Her World.
For child-centered grief and trauma resources
• The National School Crisis Center has resources which offer practical tips for supporting youth and opening conversations—for example: Talking to children about tragedies
• 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.
• 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 and grief:
o 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.
o Guidance for parents for helping youth after mass violence: Offers parents guidance on helping their children after a mass violence event. This fact sheet describes common reactions children may have, how parents can help them, and self-care tips after a violent event.
o Helping teens with traumatic grief: Describes how teens may feel when struggling with the death of someone close and offers tips on what caregivers can do to help.
o After a Crisis: Offers tips to parents on how to help young children, toddlers, and preschoolers heal after a traumatic event.
o 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.
o Tip Sheet for Teens on Coping after Violence
For mental health crises
• Call 911
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 or 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
• The Disaster Distress Helpline is a 24/7 national hotline dedicated to providing immediate crisis counseling (more info at National Institute of Mental Health): Dial 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor
For families or troops seeking mental health care services
• National Alliance for Children's Grief (NACG) links to local support groups and professionals
• SAMHSA's Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
• Mental Health America (MHA) links to affiliates across the country and offers resources for finding treatment
May 26, 2022
