Counselling offered to witnesses of HMS Astute shooting
Counselling courses are being offered to sailors and witnesses onboard the HMS Astute following the fatal shooting that occurred on the submarine last weekend.
It has emerged that eleven secondary school children were amongst those who were exposed to the aftermath of the double-shooting which killed one man and injured another.
Southampton City Council's mayor, leader and chief executive were also amongst the total of 30 people it is estimated were onboard.
A spokesman from Hampshire Police has assured The Sun that all witnesses, particularly the school children, were being offered the appropriate counselling services.
He said: "We can confirm that there were eleven children on the quayside when the incident occurred but they left very soon after.
"But they are being offered support if needed. They were aware what happened."
Counselling can be an effective and sometimes essential service for anyone who has played a part in or was a witness of a traumatic incident.
Symptoms of trauma can often be extremely damaging to somebody's mental health and can sometimes begin months or years after the incident in question.
Trained counsellors can help people of all ages overcome trauma by talking through the incident and offering a step-by-step plan for patients to overcome their anxiety.
The Herald reports that 22-year-old Able Seaman Ryan Donovan has been arrested on suspicion of the killing.
It has been estimated around 30 people were on-board the ship docked in Southampton when the incident took place.
