The ongoing process of restoring the social and emotional equilibrium of the school community by promoting positive coping skills and resilience in students and adults is recovery. Most students and staff do recover with the support and assistance of caring educators and community resources, including mental health professionals. In all phases of recovery, schools provide the greatest degree of support when their routines and social activities are maintained. The routine and activities provide natural places where experiences can be shared and preserve the sense of belonging and solidarity so crucial to students and staff after a crisis. Recovery includes immediate and ongoing support both short and long term for individuals and the entire community affected by the crisis.
Resources to Support After a Crisis or Natural Disaster
- After a School Tragedy…Readiness, Response, Recovery, & Resources | Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) Network
- After a Suicide: A Toolkit for Schools
- Addressing Grief: Tips for Teachers and Administrators (nasponline.org)
- Culturally Competent Crisis Response (nasponline.org)
- Death and School Crisis – Coalition to Support Grieving Students
- Experiencing the Loss of a Student or Teacher: Responding to Crisis | NASSP
- Emotional Recovery | Disaster Relief | Red Cross
- Going Back to School After a Tragedy | Child Mind Institute
- Guidelines-Death-Student-or-Staff-Booklet-Format.pdf (schoolcrisiscenter.org)
- Helping Children Cope with Disaster
- Helping Kids Cope With Frightening News | Child Mind Institute
- NEA School Crisis Guide 2018.pdf
- Recovery for Schools and School Districts (ed.gov)
- Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers (nasponline.org)
- Tips for Helping Students Recovering from Traumatic Events (PDF) (ed.gov)