As an organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing the mental-health well-being of individuals and families, OHEL Children’s Home and Family Services is compelled to raise awareness of the potential emotional impact of the relentless daily coverage of recent traumatic events.

Known as “secondary” or “vicarious” trauma, the repeated and graphic exposure to violent assault and rampant hatred can become traumatic, particularly to our children, even if only witnessed secondhand in print or electronic media with the ease of viewing on personal devices.

Dr. Norman Blumenthal, the Zachter Family Chair in Trauma and Crisis Counseling at OHEL and director of the OHEL Miriam Center for Trauma, Bereavement and Crisis Response, made the following statement: “We at OHEL implore parents, teachers and care providers to discuss these events with children and each other, addressing not only the lessons and concerns, but providing a realistic context of the scope and proximity of any immediate threat to themselves and others.” While reasonable precaution, vigilance and concern in these times are warranted, excessive fear and misperception of danger serve only to immobilize and heighten anxiety, he said..

Two recent videos featuring Dr. Blumenthal, and available on the OHEL website, include “Talking to Children After Traumatic Events” and “When Does Trauma or Grief Warrant Professional Help?”

OHEL trauma services are available through OHEL’s Crisis Response Team staffed by trauma specialists who are multilingual, in Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Hebrew and Yiddish. From individual, group and family trauma counseling services to community education and outreach, OHEL is able to both comfort and support victims of trauma while better preparing individuals, institutions and communities in dealing with tragedy.

OHEL can be reached at 1-800-603-OHEL, [email protected] or www.ohelfamily.org.http://www.ohelfmaily.org/