In the aftermath of last year’s terrorist attacks, especially after the Manchester Arena attack, the Survivors Assistance Network (SAN) team received numerous calls from parents and carers worried about the way that the attacks had affected their children.
We also received calls from schools and staff asking how best they could support their students. This included pupils who had been directly affected, as well as children upset by scenes they had seen on the news.
Talking about terrorist attacks
Schools are in a unique position to talk to children about such attacks, because they provide the stability and routine that is often helpful for managing anxiety.
When talking about terrorist attacks, it’s important to introduce the subject at an appropriate time and with consideration of the circumstances of the students, such as their age and how they’ve been affected. You might also want to consider the following points:
Put things in perspective
Try to calm fears as much as possible and to put things in perspective. Events such as the ones which took place last year are horrific but extremely rare acts of violence.
Bring pupils together
Schools should highlight community cohesion and shared values. Doing this will ensure that pupils are not overwhelmed and it provides a strong counter-narrative to potentially polarising influences.
Build resilience
A way to build resilience against extremism is to ensure that pupils understand how extremist ideas establish themselves and what extremists are trying to achieve. The government’s Educate Against Hate website contains useful content on how to talk to children about extremism.
Listen
Encourage children to ask questions, and listen to their concerns. If you don’t know the answer to their questions - though remember there is often no right answer to questions about terrorism - perhaps you can try to find out together. You can visit the Survivors Assistance Network website for more information, and the PSHE Association provides specific resources for discussing a terrorist attack with young people.
Respect others
Pupils asking questions is a good thing. It means that the children trust you - and it’s better than them keeping things to themselves and worrying alone. However, while it is important that children are able to speak freely, this must be done safely, and with the rights of others in mind.
Encourage empathy
It’s important to encourage children to think about the issue from a different perspective and it can be helpful to provide examples that dispel commonly held preconceptions.
When it comes to dealing with trauma, there is no one-size-fits-all solution, as individual reactions to traumatic events depend on so many factors, including previous trauma, current mental health and vulnerability.
At the time of the Manchester Arena attack, teachers and schools across the country did an incredible job doing what they felt was best for their students, and Survivors Assistance Network saw a range of different responses. These included allowing extra time for exams, providing quiet spaces for those who needed them, and educating students about how to be supportive and sensitive with their friends.
Above all, it’s important that students know that they are not alone, that they are having a normal reaction to an abnormal event, and to encourage them to accept support from family, friends and teachers. People do care.
Terry O’Hara is manager of the Survivors Assistance Network
