Landslide School psychologist: "Children should return to everyday life"
According to Romaine Schnyder, the school psychologist consulted in the Lötschental, children should be able to return to everyday life after a terrible event. The school should still offer the opportunity to talk about what happened, she said.
03.06.2025, 05:40
SDA
"Children should have the opportunity to talk about their fears and worries," said the head of the Center for Child Development and Therapy of the Canton of Valais in an interview published in the "Walliser Bote" on Tuesday. Schnyder is also an assistant at the cantonal office for young people.
"Initially, the focus is placed on the event and space is created for discussion," she said. Afterwards, the usual lessons will continue. The fact that school lessons continue gives the children stability and security. "The children should realize: I can ask my questions, but it's also good if I can, for a moment, return to normality," said Schnyder.
On Monday, Schnyder and another psychologist were on site to accompany the school on the first school day after the Birch Glacier was demolished, according to the interview. They are also available to parents.
There has long been no school in the village of Blatten, which was buried by a landslide and glacier collapse last week. The primary school pupils are taught in neighboring Wiler. Secondary school pupils go to Kippel. According to the Valais Department of Education, they are considering how the school year should end.
