Helping children cope with deadly London, Ont. crash
Efforts are underway to help children affected by Tuesday night’s devastating crash on Riverside Drive.
“When we overwhelm kids’ sense of safety and security in how the world works we see changes in behaviour,” said Dr. Claire Crooks, the director of the School for Mental Health at Western University. “We see some kids might get nightmares or more worried or more defiant. And that’s all normative. And when we start to worry about reactions is when time goes on and they’re not changing.”
An eight-year-old girl died, while several more children and one adult were injured when a vehicle struck 10 pedestrians Tuesday night.
Crooks said being patient and following children’s leads will help them cope.
“Some kids may want to talk about this, some don’t need to. We know that children process these events differently. It’s not helpful for us to sort of insist that kids talk about something like this because some of them may not need to, and talking about it may actually make them feel more agitated or upset.”
The Thames Valley District School Board has dispatched its Traumatic Events Response Team to its schools affected by the crash.
Director of Education Mark Fisher has offered condolences on behalf of the board. He added that they’re trying to be sensitive to the situation.
“We recognize that this is a triggering event for many in our community based on the terrorist attack that happened last June, and so we have to be sensitive to the needs of everybody to make sure that we’re looking after one another. One of the things that happens in these situations is that it often brings out the best in our staff and we work together to support everybody to make sure that we’re okay.”
The London District Catholic School Board is also providing support to its affected schools, according to Superindent Ana Paula Fernandes.
“We provide resources for our teachers, for educators, as well as tip sheets for our caregivers. At times, if needed, we’re out in our schools. The presence of chaplaincy, social work, the presence of senior administration lending that additional hand.”
Both school boards, along with London Police Service, say they won’t be releasing the names of the victims at this time to respect the wishes of their families.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
Tropical fish stolen from Beachburg, Ont. restaurant found and returned
Ontario Provincial Police have landed a suspect following a fishy theft in Beachburg, Ont.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.