Kids need help to get through trauma

LIBERTY - Experts in dealing with stress and trauma in children say counseling is the key to emotional recovery for children who witness traumatic occurrences, like the children who witnessed the murder of their mother and sister inside their Liberty home this month.

Children need an opportunity to express their feelings and to know they have support, said clinical counselor Dr. Jamie Marich of Liberty Psycare. She said even if the children do not want to talk, they may want to express their emotions in other ways - such as drawing or playing sports.

''If early support is given now, then the likelihood of problems later, theoretically, is reduced,'' Marich said. Marich also stressed that different people handle stress in different ways and what works for one person may not work for another.

Police were interviewing witnesses all week following the Nov. 15 shooting deaths of 28-year-old Wilneice Green and her 13-year-old daughter, Ja-Brajasia. The two were murdered in their home about 11:15 p.m. by someone who walked in and then ran out. The mother was found in the kitchen while her daughter was in a bedroom.

Four of Wilneice Green's other children, the oldest being 12, were in the home at the time. One of them told a 911 dispatcher that he saw it happen.

The children are staying with family now, and their aunt, Tameika Green, Wilneice Green's sister, said she wants the children to receive counseling.

Police said they are making progress in the investigation, but have declined to release any further details. Reports state that when they responded, they were greeted by screaming children. The children could be heard screaming and crying hysterically on the 911 recording.

Greg Cvetkovic of the D&E Counseling Center said that having a strong family support system is also crucial.

''If that's there and if there are good bonds, they should be able to get through this,'' Cvetkovic said.

Cvetkovic said without support, future problems could include anxiety, depression and trouble in forming relationships. As they get older, he said, ''they can get somewhat mistrustful.'' That's why it's important they receive some kind of help now, he said.

''They need to be given every opportunity to discuss their feelings,'' Cvetkovic said.

Marich said studies have shown that trauma most affects children between the ages of 4 to 8 because that is a peak time for neurological development. She said intervention should be done as soon as possible so the children can have the opportunity to vent and express their feelings. She also agreed that a strong family system can be a big help.

In addition, police responding to violent scenes, especially ones like this one which involved screaming children, also need an outlet to relieve their stress, Marich said. As with children, Marich said all adults handle stress differently, but even police officers who routinely deal with traumatic situations should be given an opportunity to have an outlet for their feelings.

Youngstown police Lt. Kevin Mercer has been on the force for 13 years and is in charge of the department's Street Crimes Unit, which serves warrants and patrols high crime areas. He has responded to several crimes where children are either involved or bystanders and says he never thinks about them until after the call is cleared because they are focused on what they have to do.

''You're focused on doing your job,'' Mercer said. ''Afterwards is when it really starts to hit you. You don't really think about it. You just go there and do your job and think about it afterwards.''

jgorman@tribtoday.com