TRAUMATIC INCIDENT LIKE LOSING A CLASSMATE, DOCTOR RACHEL ZETTL AT OU HEALTH SAYS WHEN IT COMES TO ADDRESSING TRAUMATIC EVENTS, IT’S IMPORTANT TO LET THE KIDS ASK QUESTIONS AND LEAD THE CONVERSATION. AFTER TWO CHILDREN IN A RECENT MUSTANG HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE WERE KILLED IN A MURDER SUICIDE MONDAY, OU HEALTH PSYCHIATRIST SAYS THE CONVERSATION WITH CHILDREN IS ONE KIDS MAY NOT WANT TO BRING UP IF THEY’RE NOTICING SOMETHING IS GOING WRONG, OR KIDDOS JUST ACTING A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT, SAYING, HEY, HONEY, YOU KNOW WHAT’S BEEN GOING ON? ANYTHING NEW IN CLASS? DID YOU NOTICE ANY CHANGES? SHE SAYS IT’S IMPORTANT TO LET KIDS LEAD THE CONVERSATION AND MAKE THEM FEEL SAFE. A LOT OF TIMES, ADULTS WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT, BUT KIDS CAN’T. BUT WHAT THEY CAN DO IS THEY CAN SPEND TIME WITH THEIR LOVED ONES AND THAT CAN REINFORCE THAT, YOU KNOW, MY CURRENT RELATIONSHIP IS SAFE. I FEEL SAFE HERE. THINGS ARE OKAY IN MY HOME, AND THAT CAN GIVE THEM A LOT OF COURAGE. DOCTOR ZETTEL SAYS KIDS DON’T NEED SPECIFIC DETAILS, BUT YOU CAN TIE THE EVENT TO OTHER EVENTS IN THEIR LIFE, LIKE THE LOSS OF A PET OR A FAMILY MEMBER THAT MEANS THAT YOUR CLASSMATE, THEY WON’T BE COMING BACK TO CLASS, AND THAT’S SAD. AND IT’S OKAY TO BE SAD NOW, DOCTOR ZETTEL SAYS IF A CHILD MENTIONS SELF-HARM OR OTHER CONCERNING THOUGHTS, YOU CAN CALL 988 FOR MORE GUIDANCE.
Oklahoma psychiatrist advises parents on discussing traumatic incidents with children
This advice comes following a quadruple murder-suicide in the Yukon area that killed two Mustang students and a 2023 graduate
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Updated: 5:37 PM CDT Apr 23, 2024
In the aftermath of a quadruple murder-suicide in the Yukon area, parents are grappling with how to discuss the incident with their children.| MORE | Yukon bodies found: What we know about the deadly shootingDr. Rachel Zettl, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at OU Health, highlighted the importance of allowing children to ask questions and guide the conversation when discussing traumatic events. This advice comes following a tragedy that resulted in the deaths of two children and a recent Mustang High School graduate. A 10-year-old called 911 after finding the family."If they’re noticing something is going wrong, or kiddos just acting a little bit different, saying ‘Hey, honey. You know, what's been going on? Anything new in class? Did you notice any changes?’" Zettl said. Zettl said it is important to make children feel safe during these conversations. "A lot of times, adults want to talk about it, but kids can’t. What they can do is they can spend time with their loved ones, and that can reinforce that my current relationships are safe. I feel safe here. Things are OK in my home, and that can give them a lot of courage," Zettl said. She also noted that while children don't need to know specific details about the traumatic event, parents can relate it to experiences in their own lives, such as the loss of a pet or a family member. "That means that your classmate, they won’t be coming back to class, and that’s sad and it’s OK to be sad," Zettl said.Zettl also provided guidance for situations where a child might express thoughts of self-harm or other concerning thoughts. In such cases, she advised parents to call 988 for further guidance.Top Headlines OKC police investigating after 5 people, including 2 children, found dead at Yukon home Caught on camera: Alligator spotted outside a Florida doorstep 'Everybody loved them': Neighbors describe residents of Yukon home where 5 found dead Pregnant woman walks out of second-story OKC apartment to find stairs gone
In the aftermath of a quadruple murder-suicide in the Yukon area, parents are grappling with how to discuss the incident with their children.
| MORE | Yukon bodies found: What we know about the deadly shooting
Dr. Rachel Zettl, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at OU Health, highlighted the importance of allowing children to ask questions and guide the conversation when discussing traumatic events.
This advice comes following a tragedy that resulted in the deaths of two children and a recent Mustang High School graduate. A 10-year-old called 911 after finding the family.
"If they’re noticing something is going wrong, or kiddos just acting a little bit different, saying ‘Hey, honey. You know, what's been going on? Anything new in class? Did you notice any changes?’" Zettl said.
Zettl said it is important to make children feel safe during these conversations.
"A lot of times, adults want to talk about it, but kids can’t. What they can do is they can spend time with their loved ones, and that can reinforce that my current relationships are safe. I feel safe here. Things are OK in my home, and that can give them a lot of courage," Zettl said.
She also noted that while children don't need to know specific details about the traumatic event, parents can relate it to experiences in their own lives, such as the loss of a pet or a family member.
"That means that your classmate, they won’t be coming back to class, and that’s sad and it’s OK to be sad," Zettl said.
Zettl also provided guidance for situations where a child might express thoughts of self-harm or other concerning thoughts. In such cases, she advised parents to call 988 for further guidance.
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