Please use to find resources on how to talk to children and assisting your communities' response to trauma. Please check back as resources continue to be added.

• Health Resources
• Community Resources
• Miscellaneous Resources
• Mass Shooting/Gun Violence Resources

Health resources

• Health Providers - Search for the "Trauma/PTSD" category, then filter on the left "Health Providers"
   
• Care Plus NJ - Trauma Recovery Center - The CarePlus Bergen Trauma Recovery Center (TRC) facilitates healing by providing comprehensive mental health services for Bergen County youth and adults who are survivors of violent crimes. The TRC Support Services are provided with respect, compassion and cultural competence to promote healing. 
   
• David Cuozzo, M.Ed. - I am a board-certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC) and specialize in the treatment of anxiety and trauma with a focus on Generalized Anxiety, OCD, Acute Stress Disorder, PTSD, and Social Anxiety Disorder in adults and adolescents. I also work with individuals suffering from depression and/or substance abuse. 
   

• Forge VFR Healthcare - Forge VFR (Veteran and First Responder) is mission-focused on improving the mental health and well-being of active-duty service members, Veterans, First Responders, and their families.

• Kean Psychological Services Telehealth - We are now offering telehealth Therapy free-of-charge to the community. We are proud to offer no-cost therapeutic services through telehealth (online/web) during the daytime and extended evening hours. Call us at (908) 737-5890 to find out more and to schedule a screening.

community Resources

• Bergen County Grief Counseling - Start your journey to healing along with others who can relate. Facilitated by a licensed therapist, these professionally led groups offer the opportunity to get support and meet people going through similar situations.

• Body Positive Works - Body Positive Works takes a trauma-informed approach to all of our practices and services. Our practitioners are continually seeking education and training from world-renowned trauma experts to provide the most up-to-date information to work alongside you.

• Cop2Cop - Peer Support - The country’s only legislated statewide police crisis intervention helpline. Cop2Cop provides peer and clinical support services, clinical assessments, referrals, and critical incident stress management to New Jersey law enforcement members and their families.

• healingSPACE - sexual violence resource center for all of Bergen County. We provide a confidential 24/7 hotline to survivors of sexual assault and abuse, their families and friends.

• Helping Kids Grieve Toolkit from Sesame Street: Coping with the death of a loved one brings enormous challenges for the whole family. Grieving may never completely end, but working through the difficult feelings can become easier with time. Through support, open conversations, and finding ways to keep the person’s memory alive, families can begin healing together.

• National Child Traumatic Stress Network - In response to the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde Texas, the National Child Traumatic Stress Network has developed resources to help children, families, educators, and communities navigate what they are seeing and hearing, acknowledge their feelings, and find ways to cope together.

• Never Alone Again Domestic Violence Organization & Resource Center - We are dedicated to providing high quality and individually tailored support services to victims and survivors of domestic violence/abuse. We provide workshops, resources, services and support to women and families in need.

• Traumatic Loss Coalitions (TLC) - an interactive, statewide network that offers collaboration and support to professionals working with school age youth. Bergen County TLC Coordinator: Jennifer Velten, MA, LPC, ACS (201)-250-6660 (M) [email protected]

• The Nurtured Parent - The Nurtured Parent assists adults seeking the opportunity to heal from the debilitating effects of abuse., and operates on the front lines supporting survivors through free weekly support group meetings, therapeutic outings and workshops, and public awareness conferences and events. 

Miscellaneous Resources

• Addressing Grief: Tips for Teachers and Administrators (National Association of School Psychologists) - School-based support and increased understanding are essential when a student experiences the death of a friend or loved one.
   
• Anxiety in Children and Teens: How to Find Calm and Courage During Anxiety - What All Parents Need to Know - Anxiety in children and teens can make everyone feel helpless. It can come from anywhere and nowhere, and often it makes no sense at all. This is because anxiety is a primitive, instinctive response, not a rational one.
   
• Helpful Resources to Address the Mass Shooting in Uvalde, Texas - Many thanks to Michelle Zabel, MSS, Assistant Dean and Director, The Institute for Innovation and Implementation, for compiling this list of resources in response to the horrific mass shooting that took place in Texas earlier this week.
   
• Helping Children Cope with Grief (Child Mind Institute) - Parents, caregivers and educators wondering how they can help will find many answers to their questions in the following guide, which has been assembled with advice from several experts in the area of child and adolescent grief. 
  • How Trauma Affects Kids in School - An article from Child Mind Institute about the signs of trauma and tips for helping kids who've been traumatized
  • Multi-Language Trauma Resources - Free, multilingual downloads of Child Mind Institute resources to help communities in the wake of tragic events
• Helping Children Cope - Tips for talking about tragedy (Mayo Clinic) - After a tragedy, you might feel helpless - but your child needs your support. Here's help knowing what to say.
   
• How to Strengthen Children & Teens Against Anxiety After News of a World Trauma - As the important adult in their lives, the power you have to strengthen them and move them through trauma is profound.
   
• NACG Holiday Toolkit: Supporting Grieving Children During the Season of Family - This holiday toolkit is provided with the hopes it will provide ideas and inspiration for families to celebrate loved ones, those present, and those who have died. We hope together your family will create conversations and activities to honor the holiday season and your loved ones
   
• Trauma and and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Toolkit - The Road to Recovery: Supporting Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Who Have Experienced Trauma 
   
• Warning Signs and Risk Factors for Emotional Distress - Learn about the common warning signs and risk factors for emotional distress that children, adults, and first responders often experience.

Resources in Regards to Mass Shootings & Gun Violence

Please find resources on how to talk to children and assisting your communities' response to mass shootings and other violent events. Key things to remember when talking with youth are:

• Start to Conversation  (ask your child what they have heard )
• Make sure you have accurate information
• Encourage children to ask questions from a trusted adult
• Limit media exposure
• Be a positive role model

Resources provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA):

• Disaster/Distress Helpline
• Incidents of Mass Violence
• Disaster-Specific Resources

General Resources:

• Active Shooter: How to Respond 
• Effects of Traumatic Stress after Mass Violence, Terror, or Disaster

Resources for Parents and Guardians:

• Supporting Children Who Have Faced Trauma
• Talking to Children about the Shooting
• Restoring a Sense of Safety in the Aftermath of a Mass Shooting: Tips for Parents & Professionals
• Parent Guidelines for Helping Youth after the Recent Shooting
• Emergency Preparation Toolkit
• Tips for Talking With and Helping Youth Cope After a Disaster or Traumatic Event: A Guide for Parents, Caregivers and Teachers

Health Services

Behavioral / Mental Health Trauma / PTSD

Last Updated: 05/15/24