Sandy Hook and Coping with Trauma

Both children and adults may face a greater risk of psychiatric symptoms after the tragedy last week at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Twenty children and seven adults, including the shooter, were killed December 14 at the school in Newtown, Connecticut. Adam Lanza, 20, also had killed his mother at home. Many groups are bringing resources into Newtown to help people there as they try to cope with their losses. In the rest of the country, it’s best to shield children from news media, experts said. Avoid too much exposure yourself as well. Signs of trauma might include obsessive worry or trouble with sleeping, eating and staying focused. Parents should reassure children that they are safe and that shootings in a school are rare events, experts said. ABC News Nightline was among the news media that discussed coping strategies.