Page 12 - SFHN March 2018

School Shootings Is the New “Tough Talk”

to Have with Your Kids

UHealth Child Psychiatry Expert and Marjory Stoneman Douglas Alumnus
South Florida's provides tips on how to help your kids cope with tragedy
Monthly
Healthcare Newspaper Parkland, Florida is a inaccuracies that they A Return To Normalcy
quiet, unassuming town might mention. Gently It is vital to help your child return to
PO Box 812708 located in Northern Bro - correct the misconcep- his/her normal routine as quickly as possi-
Boca Raton, FL 33481-2708 ward County. Until yester- tions or the misinforma- ble. This means returning to school, sport-
Phone: (561) 368-6950 day, the quaint city's tion and use simple, but ing activities, play dates, and rules and reg-
biggest claim to fame was clear words to inform ulations in the home. The sooner that they
being the hometown of them about the facts of the are back to their “normal” routines, kids
Website:
Chicago Cubs player, event. Most children and will feel safer and less frightened.
www.southfloridahospitalnews.com
Anthony Rizzo (also a teens will be more aware
graduate of Marjory of what has happened What To Look For
CHARLES FELIX Stoneman Douglas High than parents realize – so, if Most children and teens are resilient,
CAROL FELIX School). And now, you do not talk to them, which means that in a short period of
Publishers
Parkland has become infa- the silence can be deafen- time, they will return to their normal
mous because of the unex- BY NICOLE A. MAVRIDES, ing. It may be scarier for activities and personality. But, what if
NANCY LAMMIE plainable and horrific M.D them to imagine what has
Editor they don’t? Parents and teachers should
events from February 14, happened then to be be alert to signs of anxiety or depression
2018. informed of the facts. that might suggest that professional
JUDY GRAMM
Editorial Manager & Webmaster This high school – my high school – assistance is needed. Examples of behav-
gave so many current and former stu- Encourage Questions iors to look out for could be changes in
JMC GRAPHICS dents like myself the most wonderful Encourage your child to ask questions school performance, relationships with
Art/Production memories. And now, I along with so even if it brings up difficult topics that peers/teachers, excessive worrying,
adsjmcgraphics@aol.com many others reading this article are shed- are hard to talk about. Kids will be yearn- refusal to attend school, sleeplessness,
412-835-5796 ding tears over this tragedy. The halls ing for a sense of security and will want nightmares, bed wetting, headaches/
and fields we enjoyed, will be forever to know if this type of violence can occur stomachaches, and/or loss of interest in
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS transformed in our hearts and will again. Of course, we do not know those activities. If you notice any or all these
Lisa Bianco become known as the school where an answers, but, we must reassure our chil- symptoms, please reach out to your pedi-
Daniel Casciato unfathomable shooting occurred. dren that adults (parents, teachers, atrician and/or a mental health provider
Barbara Fallon In a matter of minutes, Marjory police) are doing everything that they for guidance.
Vanessa Orr Stoneman Douglas High School's legacy can to keep them safe. We must be hon- Those of us who have ties with
of peace and excellence was transformed est, for all kids (even young ones) know Stoneman Douglas High School and
Lois Thomson
by a former student's indiscriminate rant that both good and evil exist. Parkland will continue to grieve and
of violence. In a matter of minutes, 17 Don’t be afraid to talk about how the mourn those 17 individuals who died on
lives were lost, many injured and the person responsible was a bad person. For Wednesday February 14th. Even though
LOOK FOR OUR peace and sense of security felt by the young children, share examples from we appreciate everyone's thoughts and
residents of Parkland was destroyed. Disney movies that they can relate to prayers, we are determined to work
NEXT ISSUE All Americans, especially those living when comparing good and evil. It may be towards making sure that something like
IN APRIL in South Florida, have been asking them- a good idea to encourage young children this never happens again.
selves, “How could this happen and now to express their feelings with drawings Gun violence and mental health issues
that it has, what do we do?" As a child while older kids and teens may want to are such important topics that must be
TO REACH US
psychiatrist, I am prepared to teach par- talk about their concerns. discussed with children and teens, as
FOR ents/families how to talk to their children well as our legislators and government
ADVERTISING about the event, as well as how to look Limit Media Exposure officials. The alumni from Stoneman
for signs that signal when and if your It is very important to limit the media Douglas High School, as well as the par-
OR EDITORIAL
child needs to visit with a mental health exposure for children and teens – this ents and community of Parkland, Florida
Call (561) 368-6950 provider. includes social media exposure for ado- will work together to try to ensure the
or e-mail However, as a parent, member of the lescents. Try to avoid having your young safety of our children as they play, work,
Parkland community and a graduate of children see or hear anything on the TV and learn both in and out of school.
carol@southfloridahospitalnews.com
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, or radio about the shooting. Young chil-
my information will not quiet the sad- dren may not understand that the news is
ness that has fallen over our neighbor- replaying the same event repeatedly and Dr. Nicole A. Mavrides is the Medical
SUBSCRIPTIONS hood. may think that it’s a new event each time Director of Child Psychiatry Consultation
they hear/see it. When it comes to social Service at the University of Miami Health
One Year $40 Talk and Listen media, checking what your child is look- System, as well as an assistant professor of
The first thing to do after a mass shoot- ing at is important. Children should not psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the
Two Years $60 University of Miami Miller School of
ing or any traumatic event is to talk to be watching videos about the shooting
Three Years $75 your children. Bring up the incident and constantly. Also, it is imperative to limit Medicine. She is also an alumnus from
ask them if they know about what hap- exposure and to ensure that the informa- Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. For
pened. LISTEN to them and be aware of tion that they are seeing is accurate. more information, call (305) 355-9028.
To subscribe,
call (561) 368-6950
or subscribe online at IRMC Board and IRCHD Trustees
southfloridahospitalnews.com. Select Cleveland Clinic as Partnership Finalist
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After an intensive months-long evaluation process, members of the Indian River Medical Center (IRMC) Board of Directors and
All rights reserved. Reproduction the Indian River County Hospital District (IRCHD) have selected Cleveland Clinic as the best partner to help secure the future of
in whole or part without written
permission prohibited. Copyright © 2018. Indian River Medical Center. “We were extremely fortunate to be choosing from among four exceptional organizations, all of which
have unique strengths,” said IRCHD Chair Marybeth Cunningham. “We believe that a partnership with Cleveland Clinic, a world-
class organization, is the best way to grow upon the foundation of quality clinical care that has been built at IRMC.”
“Throughout this process I have been incredibly impressed with the hard work, dedication, and professionalism of the IRMC
Don’t forget to include physicians and staff,” said IRMC Board Chair Dr. Wayne Hockmeyer. “It is because of their commitment and the culture they’ve
built that we had strong interest from terrific organizations. Cleveland Clinic shares our team’s patient-first focus, and we look for-
South Florida Hospital News ward to working with them on building a partnership that makes sense for our community.”
& Healthcare Report IRMC leadership, IRCHD trustees and Cleveland Clinic will begin preparing a non-binding letter of intent (LOI) that outlines
plans for the partnership. In the months ahead, IRMC, the Trustees and Cleveland Clinic will work to finalize the terms of an agree-
in your Marketing Plans ment and will perform the detailed legal and financial due diligence that is part of reaching a definitive agreement, the next step in
Call Charles at 561-368-6950 for a Media Kit this process.

12 March 2018 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News