WARNING: This story contains disturbing details.
School boards in northwestern Ontario are reaching out to staff and students about the support available after Tuesday’s tragic school shooting in Tumbler Ridge, B. C.
The RCMP reports that six individuals lost their lives at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School – an adult educator and five students. Initially, a seventh victim was thought to have died on the way to the hospital, but police later confirmed they are alive.
A 39-year-old woman and an 11-year-old boy, both connected to the suspect, were found dead at the suspect’s family residence. Overall, authorities say nine people have died, including the suspect identified as 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar. Additionally, twenty-seven others sustained injuries.
Leaders from across Canada and around the world, including King Charles, have shown their support for Canadians and those affected in B. C., while Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that all flags on federal government buildings will be flown at half-mast.
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Tumbler Ridge Secondary School is seen behind police tape Wednesday morning. (Caroline Barghout/CBC)
“Our thoughts are with the students, staff, families and entire community of Tumbler Ridge as they grieve in the aftermath of an unimaginable tragedy. School communities are many things to many people but above all, they are meant to be places of safety,” Lakehead Public Schools said in a statement on Facebook Wednesday morning.
“Events like these can be felt far away from the school itself, even here. We know that this may be a difficult time for our staff, students and families.”
For those at Lakehead Public Schools, a list of mental health resources can be found online.
The Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board encourages its students to reach out for help from a trusted adult.
“If you are impacted by this event, please know that you are not alone. In our schools there are caring adults ready to support you. Our teachers and staff are attentive and ready to listen; we also have mental health workers available if you would like someone to talk with,” the board stated in a Facebook post Wednesday afternoon.
Further northwest, the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board also released a statement regarding the situation.
“When tragedy strikes within a school community anywhere in Canada, it resonates with educators and families everywhere. We extend our deepest condolences to those grieving in Tumbler Ridge; we stand together with school boards across Canada offering sympathy during this challenging time,” the board said on Facebook Wednesday morning.
The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board advised students to contact their school’s mental health team “if you need access to mental health support or someone to talk with.”
Tumbler Ridge high school student describes emergency lockdown
It’s also key not only recognizing how serious these situations are but also avoiding overwhelming fear among everyone involved,“ she added.
“We acknowledge something terrible happened; we’re doing our best to ensure everyone’s safety even though these events happen very rarely.”
The school board provides social work services along with family assistance programs as well as various mental health resources for both staff and students.
“It can be really hard sometimes feeling powerless when we can’t fix things or take away those scary feelings,” admitted Semeniuk.
“If we’re working closely with kids providing opportunities for listening while sticking strictly factual information could help them manage any misinformation circulating around.”
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‘It can be really hard and feel really powerless’
Megan Semeniuk is leading mental health efforts at Lakehead Public Schools. She expressed her heartbreak over this news. “I was just talking with my 14-year-old yesterday about world events and how we’re pretty lucky up here in Canada that things like this don’t happen very often,” she shared. “When they do occur, it’s definitely more shocking.” The educators at Lakehead Public Schools have formed strong bonds with their students which helps them notice when something seems off or when students might need extra care. While staff members also feel affected by such incidents, Semeniuk emphasized it’s vital for adults to stay calm and look after themselves so they can better support their kids.
Tumbler Ridge high school student describes emergency lockdown
It’s also key not only recognizing how serious these situations are but also avoiding overwhelming fear among everyone involved,“ she added.
“We acknowledge something terrible happened; we’re doing our best to ensure everyone’s safety even though these events happen very rarely.”
The school board provides social work services along with family assistance programs as well as various mental health resources for both staff and students.
“It can be really hard sometimes feeling powerless when we can’t fix things or take away those scary feelings,” admitted Semeniuk.
“If we’re working closely with kids providing opportunities for listening while sticking strictly factual information could help them manage any misinformation circulating around.”
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