Experts offer support and advice on how to deal with the tragic events following the shooting at Joppatowne High School

HARFORD Co. – Incidents like a school shooting linger long after the day of the tragedy.

It can have physical and emotional effects on people of all ages.

Jennifer Rossman remembers her time as a student at Joppatowne High School.

“I grew up here. This is my home,” says Jennifer Rossman, a graduate of Joppatowne High School.

When she heard about Deadly shooting on Friday She appeared at her alma mater the next day to pay her respects to the victim and those affected.

“And it's devastating when it hits you so close, because I actually walked these hallways and walked here to school every morning,” Rossman said.

As a mother, she says she understands the psychological stress that tragic events can have on parents and their children.

“It's horrible. It's just heartbreaking because I went through that,” Rossman said. “You know, I understand.”

Cheryl Moses is the mental health program director at the Center for Hope. Moses told WJZ that tragic events like a school shooting are hard to process, even indirectly, but it's OK to talk about it.

“It’s important to approach the conversation with care, honesty and sensitivity,” said Cheryl Moses, program manager at the Center for Hope.

The first step, Moses says, is to create a safe space and help your child understand that their feelings are normal.

“It’s OK to be sad or scared,” Moses said.

The key is to recognize, acknowledge and value children's feelings.

“Every child is different, so be sensitive to their needs and reactions. The goal is to help them feel safe, supported and understood,” Moses said.

Moses believes that both children and adults can find comfort in knowing that there is someone they can rely on, be it a parent, guardian, mentor or psychologist.

“We should support each other,” Moses explained. “This was a tragic situation and community support is also crucial.”

“I’m praying for Joppatowne,” Rossman said.

For a list of mental health resources, specifically related to traumatic events, visit the Center for Hope website.