Associations respond to tragedy at Va. Tech
The recent mass murder at Virginia Tech claimed 33 lives, including that of gunman Cho Seung-Hui. As the public tries to make sense of the senselessness, a few associations have quickly responded with advice and condolences; no doubt the coming days will see many more efforts.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has on its website resources and tips for talking to children after a disaster. The organization also will offer the advice of pediatricians who specialize in mental health and violence prevention. Also offering advice on talking with children and teens about violence and school safety is the National Association of School Psychologists. The organization has a PDF of the tips available online. The American Public Health Association’s executive director, Georges C. Benjamin, MD, in a press release offered the organization’s “deepest condolences to the families of the victims of this unconscionable act,” adding that “this tragedy and others like it underscore the need to recognize and address the public health consequences of firearm violence.” The American Association of State Colleges and Universities offered its sympathies as well; the organization has a special report on its website, “The Challenge of Campus Security.”
This blog entry was prepared by Newton Holt, senior editor, Associations Now.
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Comments
Scott, the VSCPA's members are offering free financial advice to families affected by the Virginia Tech massacre through our Virginia Disaster Recovery Help program. Here's a link:
http://www.vscpa.com/VATaxHelp/Resources/Disaster_Recovery/
Posted by: Ben Martin | April 17, 2007 10:14 PM
Hi, Scott. The National Funeral Directors Association has a memorial banner on its website, and has shared the same with the entirety of its membership and the state associations we work with. Our members received a special bulletin that alerted them to ways they could help their own communities cope with this tragedy, and the association has extended its condolences and its help to the campus community and the friends and families of those killed.
Posted by: Celine Clark | April 18, 2007 3:54 PM
The American Counseling Association responded within hours of the news about the Virginia Tech shootings by posting on its website numerous articles and resources available for mental health professionals, educators, and consumers who are dealing with the tragedy. For more information, please visit us at: http://www.counseling.org
Posted by: Richard Yep | April 18, 2007 4:10 PM