By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
THERE’S been five confirmed bomb threats that have terrorised Casey schools this month, and local counsellor Natalie Waring said the effects on children as young as five, can be far reaching, and often invisible.
Youth case worker at Cranbourne Information and Support Service (CISS), Ms Waring said as a result of the panicky and swift evacuations of thousands of primary school students, they were likely to have anxiety and a fear of going to school.
“It’s all the stress and secrecy of the parents, teachers and police officers that the children pick up on and news headlines that they can’t avoid,” Ms Waring said.
“Children may experience panic attacks, they might lie to get out of going to school, play up at school as a coping mechanism and may experience trouble sleeping.”
Berwick Lodge and Berwick Chase was one of the first confirmed primary schools to experience the threatening phone calls that turned out to be hoaxes on Friday 29 January.
And on Thursday 11 February, the stress continued at Cranbourne’s Rangebank Primary School.
“It’s expected that children will worry it will happen again, and if their parents will be able to pick them up this time,” Ms Waring said.
“Speaking to the child about how they are feeling and talking through what they can do when they start to feel scared will help.”
Ms Waring said some warning signs to look out for include a change in sleeping and eating habits.
“Often children just want reassurance from an adult but some don’t want to express their worries in fear of upsetting their parents, I see that a lot,” she said.
“If parents want some comfort, they can visit us at CISS for a free counselling session and often the child will open up without mum or dad present.”
Ms Waring said for some children the bomb hoaxes will trigger other emotions and feelings they’ve suppressed.
To contact CISS and book a free counselling session phone: 5996 3333.
