Supports in the Wake of CFB Wainwright Tragedy
The tragic events at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Wainwright in Alberta on October 17 are deeply saddening and understandably upsetting for adults and youth alike. Our thoughts are with those who have been affected, their loved ones, and the broader Canadian Armed Forces community.
We recognize that members of the Canadian Armed Forces and their families are part of our school communities. For children and youth with family members serving in the Canadian Armed Forces, news of this nature may surface additional worries about the safety and well-being of their loved ones.
Children and youth may experience a wide range of emotions in response to what they hear, see, or understand about the tragedy. It is important to remember that they often look to the trusted adults in their lives to help them feel safe, supported, and reassured.
Below are some strategies and resources to help guide conversations with children, with the understanding that responses will vary depending on age, development, and connection to this tragedy.
Limit exposure to news stories on traditional and social media channels
Consider how you access news and how that may impact children nearby. Young children may not know how to make sense of the news they are seeing and can quickly become overwhelmed. Encourage older children to rely on reputable news sources, and where possible limit their consumption and exposure to upsetting coverage.
Acknowledge feelings
Children will look to us for cues on how to process this upsetting information. Acknowledging our own feelings gives children a model for how to express and process their strong emotions. It is normal to experience a range of emotions.
Listen more than you speak
Listen to your child’s concerns before offering any explanations. Give them an opportunity to voice their fears and ask age-appropriate open-ended questions. These conversations will help you understand if your child is coming from a place of curiosity, concern or fear, and will help you gain a sense of what your child may need from adults to feel safe and supported.
Provide facts
Tell the truth but do it gently. Give your child facts as long as it is appropriate for their age and stage of development. Children need to know their concerns and questions are being taken seriously by the adults around them and that they can trust their adults to be truthful with them. If you don’t know the answer to a question, don’t be afraid to say so.
Importance of routine
Maintaining daily routines can provide a sense of stability and security for children and adults.
Encourage empathy and compassion
Remind your child there may be others in their daily lives who may be impacted by this tragedy. Tragedies and times of sadness and grief can serve as meaningful moments to teach compassion, which can help children feel empowered as they find additional ways to be kind and caring.
As a school district, we recognize that students may require additional support. We will continue to prioritize the mental health and well-being of students. Be mindful of any changes in your child’s typical behaviour. If you feel your child needs additional support, please reach out to your school and/or access the community supports identified in the following resources.
Resources