Aftermath of Jokela School shooting may cost EUR 6 million

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Sorting out the psychological repercussions of the Jokela school killings in 2007 may end up costing society up to EUR six million. Previously the aftercare of the tragedy was believed to come with a price tag of EUR 4.5 million.
      Municipal Mayor Hannu Joensuu of Tuusula believes that the aftercare will continue at least until the year 2012.
      On November 7th 2007, 18-year-old student Pekka-Eric Auvinen shot dead six fellow students, the school nurse, the head teacher, and himself in the Jokela School in the southern town of Tuusula.
      Now, just over a year after the incident, the everyday life of the Jokela pupils has returned back to something approaching normality.
     
”The youngsters are coping well. Even surprisingly well”, says school nurse Merja Manelius.
      Around a hundred individuals are still receiving psychotherapy. Most of them are youngsters. Around 500 pupils attend the Jokela School Centre’s upper level comprehensive school and upper level secondary school, or "lukio".
      Because of the shooting the pupils have suffered from flashbacks, lack of concentration, and sleeplessness.
     
So far Tuusula has received EUR two million from the Government for the tragedy’s aftercare.
      For the current year the government has promised another EUR 1.7 million. The money is meant to be spent to hire more staff and to fund the therapy sessions.
     
The Jokela School Centre now has two school nurses, two school welfare officers, two school psychologists, and a psychiatric nurse. A school doctor specialised in psychiatry is present every Wednesday.
      A report on the Jokela killings and the similar Kauhajoki vocational school shooting a year later will be handed to the Minister of Justice Tuija Brax (Green League) on Thursday.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Recovery from Jokela school shootings could take years and cost millions (30.11.2007)

Helsingin Sanomat