Parent Program advice: How to help
April 3, 2008
UW-Madison suffered the tragic loss of one of its students, junior Brittany Zimmermann, on April 2. Please join the UW-Madison community in remembering Brittany’s parents, family and friends in your thoughts and prayers.
Tragic events are shocking and disturbing and can arouse anxiety in a number of different ways. Being away from home can be disconcerting for many students. The following are some suggestions for helping your student cope with his or her reactions to this event.
Talk with your student: Check in with your student and ask how he or she has been feeling about safety on campus and downtown. It’s OK to seek out your student and begin the conversation yourself. You might want to consider asking if he or she is worried about anything and provide an opportunity to voice any fears that he or she may be feeling.
Alternatively, you may find that your student is the one to make the first contact and that he or she seek more contact with you and other family members at this time. It is natural to want to connect with loved ones in this context, and it will be helpful for you to talk as often as your student wishes to talk.
Be a supportive listener: Remember that there is no right or wrong way to feel in this moment, but it is usually very helpful to express emotional responses. Encourage your student to express any feelings he or she might have about the incident. Reassure your student that it is natural to have strong feelings after a tragedy.
Remind your student to use information and resources on campus: Encourage your student to seek support from friends, faculty, staff and other trusted individuals on campus. It is also a good idea to remind your student to stay informed by checking e-mail and visiting the university home page.
For more information on how to be supportive of your student, including available resources, call the Parent Program at (877) 262-3977, or e-mail parent@uwmad.wisc.edu.