{"id":21056,"date":"2023-10-13T20:49:05","date_gmt":"2023-10-13T20:49:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jedfoundation.org\/?page_id=21056"},"modified":"2025-06-26T04:08:39","modified_gmt":"2025-06-26T04:08:39","slug":"how-to-help-students-cope-with-safety-threats","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/jedfoundation.org\/how-to-help-students-cope-with-safety-threats\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Help Your Students Cope With Safety Threats in the Community or World"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-21049 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/jedfoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/pexels-andy-barbour-6683491-1-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"A teacher at the front of their classroom holding papers and a pencil looking at a student who is speaking\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jedfoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/pexels-andy-barbour-6683491-1-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/jedfoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/pexels-andy-barbour-6683491-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jedfoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/pexels-andy-barbour-6683491-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jedfoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/pexels-andy-barbour-6683491-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jedfoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/pexels-andy-barbour-6683491-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jedfoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/pexels-andy-barbour-6683491-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When there are nationwide or global warnings about the potential for violence, it affects all of us. Beyond the practical matter of following the advice of experts\u2014local police, school and campus safety professionals, and administrators\u2014there is another layer of safeguarding we all need: paying attention to\u2014and getting support for\u2014the understandable emotions that can come up at these times.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We are sharing these tips to help you support your students through any stress or anxiety they may be feeling. But this is advice anyone can use, so we hope you will follow any of these tips that could help you feel calmer and safer in tough times.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Watch for Signs of Stress and Anxiety\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">See if any of your students:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Appear to be having a hard time concentrating<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Show up to class late or leave early<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seem distracted or distressed<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Behave in ways that are not typical for them, such as being unusually quiet or acting out<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Check In and Connect With Them<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the most impactful ways you can protect your students\u2019 mental health is simple: check in, make a connection, and show concern. Connecting can be as simple as asking, \u201cHow are you? I\u2019ve noticed you seem to be having a hard time focusing,\u201d or offering to listen or hold space for them without the pressure to respond. If they opt to disclose something about the stress they are experiencing, you could offer the tips below.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Encourage Them to Stay Away From Stressful Content<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gathering information to help your students make choices about their safety is wise, and it should come from the experts: local police, caregivers, and trusted authorities, including school and campus safety professionals.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Suggest that they avoid constant exposure to the news with these tips:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Temporarily delete or pause notifications from apps that may contain disturbing content without reliable information.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Block harmful content.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Temporarily restrict, mute, or unfollow friends who are sharing stressful content.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If screens help your students take a break from their worries, suggest choosing apps that make them feel connected to others or that offer uplifting or peaceful content.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can also share these <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/jedfoundation.org\/resource\/7-ways-to-protect-your-mental-health-when-you-use-social-media\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">seven tips for protecting your mental health when using social media<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><b>Encourage Them to Ground Themselves<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ways to do it:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Use your senses and practice mindfulness:\u00a0<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Notice things you can see, hear, smell, and feel: \u201cI see my classmates taking notes; I hear the traffic through the open window; I smell the lotion on my hands; I feel the fabric of my jeans.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Take a warm bath or shower and pay attention to how the water feels, or hold a cup of warm tea in your hands and drink it slowly in a favorite spot.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Physical movement: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dance to your favorite playlist or do a few stretches to release the tension in your body.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Create a playlist <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">of songs or sounds that help you relax and feel safe.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Share <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/jedfoundation.org\/resource\/how-to-relieve-stress-breathing-exercises-you-can-do-anywhere\/\"><b>simple breathing exercises<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with them.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Looking for more ways to get centered? Check out JED\u2019s extensive <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/jedfoundation.org\/practice-self-care\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">self-care video library<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><b>Help Students Recognize When They Need More Help<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Affirm that anxiety and fear in moments like this are expected, but if it\u2019s taking up considerable energy and space for your students, affecting them physically, or getting in the way of schoolwork, it may be helpful for them to talk to a professional who can listen to their concerns and offer additional coping skills and treatment if needed. As a general rule, it may be helpful to consider a referral if they report thoughts, feelings, or behaviors that:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Feel too intense or overwhelming<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Last longer than two weeks<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get worse over time<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Refer students to this <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/jedfoundation.org\/resource\/7-ways-to-get-affordable-mental-health-care\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">guide to finding affordable mental health care<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><b>If You Feel They Need Immediate Help:\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Refer them to a school or campus counselor<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let them know they can call or text 988 or text HOME to 741-741 to have a confidential conversation with a trained mental health counselor at any time of day.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Call 911 if there is immediate danger of harm or a medical emergency.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em><strong>For more tips for supporting your students\u2019 mental health, check out JED\u2019s guides for educators:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/jedfoundation.org\/high-school-educator-guide-to-supporting-student-mental-health\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">High School Educator Guide for Supporting Students<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/jedfoundation.org\/faculty-guide\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Faculty Guide for Supporting Student Mental Health<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/jedfoundation.org\/coaches-guide\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Coaches\u2019 Guide to Supporting High School Athlete Mental Health<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When there are nationwide or global warnings about the potential for violence, it affects all of us. Beyond the practical matter of following the advice <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":40,"featured_media":21049,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-21056","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How to Help Your Students Cope With Safety Threats in the Community or World | The Jed Foundation<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Educators can support students experiencing stress and anxiety due to nationwide or global threats of violence. 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