Regular and relevant communication with families, staff and students still matters. The reasons are as important in the long term as the short term.

You can offer advice about:

• anniversaries about the deceased student
• media coverage
• any other forms of potential stress.

This will continue to help protect the wellbeing of your school community. It reinforces a consistent and supportive approach from your school’s emergency response team.

Do not hide stressful news

Hiding possible stressful events from people is not protective. This:

• makes them more vulnerable
• increases their risk of harm.

The desire to find the positive

People’s desire to see something positive emerge from a student’s sudden death can be very strong.

The work of a critical incident review can help.

Your results and recommendations can give the community a sense of moving forward.