Grief Counselors Helping Students
By: Jim Madalinsky
Updated: January 3, 2013
Nearly two weeks after the Geeseytown shootings rocked this small rural Blair County community, students in Willamsburg and Hollidaysburg returned to class for the first time.
With the shootings still fresh in their minds, grief counselors were on hand for those in need.
"Everybody reacts differently so the needs vary from person to person. To give everybody the opportunity to talk about their thoughts and gives us the opportunity to observe them and also get them linked with other services if the impact is much greater than what it might have been with others," Altoona Regional Health Systems Director of Behavioral Health Ernie Podrasky says.
As shootings continue to dominate headlines nationally, safety is one of the biggest concerns for students.
"Although it is increasing I think especially for kids I think they need to know they still are safe generally speaking and we need to make sure they get that assurance as well,"
Counselors say that peace of mind can go a long way.
"Especially the smaller children knowing that their school is safe and people are taking the preventative measures to show their school is safe," Christine Zernick of Altoona Regional Health Systems Student Assistance Program says.
As the days go by it's easier for people not directly involved in the tragedies to move on, but counselors say that sense of normalcy takes a little longer for some people.
"There may be birthdays, anniversaries, milestones that may trigger some thoughts that are depressing and sad for people and they need to revisit that and talk to other counselors or talk to us about it," Zernick says.
As long as anyone affected by the shootings is in need, counselors are ready to listen.
"Grieving is a process. It's not a single event so it takes time for people to get through their feelings and what they're going through as a whole," Zernick says.
Counselors were also at Altoona High School the last few days as they return to class after the shooting death of 16 year old Jesse McElhinney. They also plan on following up down the road just in case some students still need to talk.
Anyone in need of counseling can contact the Altoona Regional Health System Behavioral Health Services Community Crisis Center at 814-889-2141.
With the shootings still fresh in their minds, grief counselors were on hand for those in need.
"Everybody reacts differently so the needs vary from person to person. To give everybody the opportunity to talk about their thoughts and gives us the opportunity to observe them and also get them linked with other services if the impact is much greater than what it might have been with others," Altoona Regional Health Systems Director of Behavioral Health Ernie Podrasky says.
As shootings continue to dominate headlines nationally, safety is one of the biggest concerns for students.
"Although it is increasing I think especially for kids I think they need to know they still are safe generally speaking and we need to make sure they get that assurance as well,"
Counselors say that peace of mind can go a long way.
"Especially the smaller children knowing that their school is safe and people are taking the preventative measures to show their school is safe," Christine Zernick of Altoona Regional Health Systems Student Assistance Program says.
As the days go by it's easier for people not directly involved in the tragedies to move on, but counselors say that sense of normalcy takes a little longer for some people.
"There may be birthdays, anniversaries, milestones that may trigger some thoughts that are depressing and sad for people and they need to revisit that and talk to other counselors or talk to us about it," Zernick says.
As long as anyone affected by the shootings is in need, counselors are ready to listen.
"Grieving is a process. It's not a single event so it takes time for people to get through their feelings and what they're going through as a whole," Zernick says.
Counselors were also at Altoona High School the last few days as they return to class after the shooting death of 16 year old Jesse McElhinney. They also plan on following up down the road just in case some students still need to talk.
Anyone in need of counseling can contact the Altoona Regional Health System Behavioral Health Services Community Crisis Center at 814-889-2141.
Charlotte Ames is the area's only local Health Reporter and brings you the latest medical health news weeknights. You can catch Healthcast on WTAJ News at 5:00pm and her Health Headlines report on WTAJ News at 5:30pm.