[Michlib-l] Talking to Kids about Fear and Violence and other resources (updated list)

[Lancaster, Cathy (MDE)]

Sadly, I am re-sending this list of resources that you may have seen it over the past few years. I've added a couple more resources including this first one, a newly released update from the Fred Rogers Institute.

Talking with Children about Difficult Things in the News -<https://www.fredrogersinstitute.org/files/resources/7/difficult-things-2025.pdf> Fred Rogers Institute
Since we first released our "Talking with Children About Difficult Things in the News<https://www.fredrogersinstitute.org/files/resources/7/difficult-things-2025.pdf>" PDF in 2021, it has become the FRI's most-downloaded resource. The topic of how to talk with children and young people about scary news and major world events has become one of our most-requested topics for speaking and workshops. As I write this, a team of three educators is in the Fred Rogers Archive reading letters children wrote to Mister Rogers about their difficulties and fears. What they read and learn will inform their work supporting children and families recovering from trauma.
As Fred Rogers said, "Although children's 'outsides' may have changed a lot over the years, their inner needs have remained very much the same." The particular difficult news we encounter may change from season to season and decade to decade, but the fundamental need we all have to feel loved and safe always remains. We are glad to re-release this free resource today, with a few additional messages from Fred Rogers' work. We hope the words in this document will be an encouragement to all caring adults. You are "the helpers" who can do the essential work of letting children know their feelings and questions matter and that there are caring people everywhere who will do all we can to keep them safe.


MDHHS – Resources for Families and Children

The Stay Well program was established in 2020 to offer behavioral and emotional support to Michiganders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The program provided coping resources, including webinars, toolkits, support groups and educational materials. Live Stay Well programming ended in 2023. We invite you to browse this archive to find mental wellness resources that can still be helpful and relevant to you and your organization post-pandemic. Be sure to take advantage of the free resources on mindfulness & summer wellness for children, teens, and caregivers<https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/keep-mi-healthy/mentalhealth/stay-well-program-resources/resources-for-families-and-children>.

NCTSN – For Teens: Coping after Mass Violence<https://www.nctsn.org/sites/default/files/resources/fact-sheet/for_teens_coping_after_mass_violence.pdf>

VOICES – Mass Violence Tip Sheets<https://voicescenter.org/tip-sheets/mass-violence>
VOICES – Tip Sheets Following Traumatic Events<https://voicescenter.org/tip-sheets/trauma>



NCTSN – Secondary Traumatic Stress: A Fact Sheet for Child-Serving Professionals<https://www.nctsn.org/sites/default/files/resources/fact-sheet/secondary_traumatic_stress_child_serving_professionals.pdf>

NCTSN – Taking Care of Yourself<https://www.nctsn.org/resources/taking-care-of-yourself>



988 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (now known as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) and is now active across the United States. When people call, text, or chat 988, they will be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing Lifeline network. These trained counselors will listen, understand how their problems are affecting them, provide support, and connect them to resources if necessary. Learn more at https://988lifeline.org/current-events/the-lifeline-and-988/.



Here are a few resources library staff might find useful for families in your own communities today:



Talking To Kids About Fear And Violence<https://mhanational.org/talking-kids-about-fear-and-violence> – Mental Health America



Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers<https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/school-safety-and-crisis/school-violence-resources/talking-to-children-about-violence-tips-for-parents-and-teachers> – National Association of School Psychologists

(Many additional resources on this site, too)



School Shooting Resources<https://www.nctsn.org/what-is-child-trauma/trauma-types/terrorism-and-violence/school-shooting-resources> – The National Child Traumatic Stress Network



AACAP Resource Library on Guns and Violence<https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Resource_Libraries/Resource_Library_on_Guns.aspx> – American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry



Federal Resources for Helping Youth Cope after a School Shooting<https://youth.gov/feature-article/federal-resources-helping-youth-cope-after-school-shooting> – Youth.Gov



OK2SAY<https://www.michigan.gov/ok2say/> – State of Michigan Tip Line

Anyone can report tips confidentially on criminal activities or potential harm directed at students, school employees, or schools.

Tips can be submitted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

In peace,

Cathy Lancaster

Youth Services Coordinator

Library of Michigan
702 W. Kalamazoo St.
Lansing, MI 48915
My Pronouns: She/Her/Hers - See www.mypronouns.org<http://www.mypronouns.org/> to learn more.

LancasterC5 at michigan.gov<mailto:LancasterC5 at michigan.gov> | 517-335-8129 | www.mi.gov/libraryofmichigan<http://www.mi.gov/libraryofmichigan>
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