Mental health support available as Box Elder County students return to school

TREMONTON — While not everyone may have known Sgt. Lee Sorensen, or Officer Eric Estrada, who were shot and killed while responding to a domestic disturbance call on Sunday, or Deputy Mike Allred, who was injured along with his K9, Azula, the tragedy is making an impact on people all over Box Elder County and beyond. That’s why the Box Elder School District is working to make mental health resources available to students, parents and school staff as schools start up again next week.

“This is something that our community has not experienced, and so we want to be really sensitive to our student’s needs and our families,” Jamie Kent, Director of Public Relations for the district, explained. “Our Director of Student Services has sent out some information to parents already, letting them know what to do if they need some more help, and then also some articles and stuff that they can read to help them.”

Licensed clinical social workers, or LCSWs were recently made available at Garland, McKinley and Harris Intermediate schools for students and families. Similar resources will be on hand at schools around the district, with the help of some private LCSWs who are volunteering their time.

Thursday night, a rivalry volleyball game between Box Elder High School and Bear River High School started with both teams sharing a moment of silence in honor of Sorensen and Estrada, in a display of solidarity. A Utah Highway Patrol trooper, who was on duty the night of the shooting and the adult children of Deputy Mike Allred, were also in attendance.

“I think those moments help the community, and our students heal,” Kent said.

Some of that healing, however, will undoubtedly have to take place in the home, even though it can be complicated for parents to talk with younger kids about tragedy and community-shared trauma. Melanie Domenech Rodríguez, a professor of psychology at Utah State University, said it’s important for parents to be open and honest.

“Parents can be an incredible support to their children by listening, validating, answering questions and providing support as needed,” Rodriguez said. “There’s a real balance between being very honest and transparent and giving just enough to answer the question that a child has posed.”

How much help and discussion kids need can vary widely.

“Sometimes we don’t talk about things because we don’t really know what to say,” Rodriguez explained. “I think it’s better to say, ‘this is a really tough situation and I don’t really know what to say here. I’m just confused as you. I’m scared. Let’s look some information up together.’”