Helping children recover after a disaster

With wildfires, hurricanes, and severe weather frequently in the news, our hearts go out to those affected by the disaster, who are not only dealing with the initial crisis, but also facing a long recovery period filled with uncertainty. Masu. Parents of minor children affected by natural disasters often want to know what they can do to help their children recover.

The good news is the study The long-term situation of children and adults after a disaster tells us what we should expect. resiliencereturn to previous function within days or weeks or gradually recover (Bonanno et al., 2010). Our brains and bodies have a powerful ability to heal themselves over time. Resilience and recovery are the outcomes of the vast majority of survivors, with a minority displaying ongoing clinical-level mental health concerns that can impair functioning. Evidence-based treatments, such as trauma-focused therapy, are providing hope for people facing ongoing mental health issues after a disaster. cognitive behavior Interventions that can help children get on the path to full recovery.

There are a variety of understandable and common reactions in the immediate aftermath of a natural disaster, most of which dissipate in the days and weeks that follow. For children, this may include sleep problems such as: sleeping I have more or less nightmares than usual. Showing signs of distress or vice versa, becoming numb to events. Difficulty concentrating or paying bills Note To name a few examples, at school (Breimer et al., 2006). Understanding these common reactions can help parents be more patient and provide extra comfort and solace in the initial aftermath, and also remember that these reactions are likely temporary and that the child can have hope that things will be okay in the long run.

Parents should understand that children of all ages will experience behavioral and emotional changes in the first days and weeks following a disaster, and be aware that these reactions may persist or affect their child’s ability to learn. You will need to monitor whether it starts to accumulate in such a way that it gives you Maintain healthy relationships and enjoy life. Disaster experiences that can increase the risk of long-term distress include having an individual become ill or injured in a disaster, having someone close to the child become ill or injured, or knowing someone who has lost their life. fear of dying, or having lost, hurt, or killed a pet (Felix et al., 2019). This does not mean that having any of these experiences will indicate a child’s subsequent development.traumatic stress hindrance (PTSD) or related symptoms, but caregivers should take a wait-and-see approach and seek additional treatment if symptoms increase, worsen, do not improve over time, and are affecting daily life. support and resources should be sought.

However, if the child already has many problems, depressionor had other mental health or behavioral concerns before the disaster, the experience of the disaster may exacerbate this. Therefore, you may need to seek additional support sooner or later. If your child is already seeing a qualified child mental health therapist, we can work with you to monitor and address any additional concerns that may arise from the disaster experience or the stressors that are likely to occur in its aftermath. please. If parents need to find a child therapist, look for someone with experience in evidence-based trauma treatment for children. Although there are many treatment approaches for adults, there are currently few evidence-based options for children. To date, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral interventions are recommended (Forbes et al., 2020).

Parents can help their children by providing extra comfort, solace, and patience after a disaster, as well as reestablishing routines as soon as possible (Brymer et al., 2006). This includes returning children to school when it reopens and establishing routines that are as similar to school as reasonably possible at home or shelter during weekdays until school resumes. . It may also be helpful to reestablish bedtime and wake schedules, meal schedules, and nighttime routines, if this is possible given the parent’s current recovery situation.

Children may have many questions about what happened and what it means to them. Misinformation and rumors can spread quickly. Parents should provide factual information about what happened in a calm tone appropriate to the child’s age and understanding, emphasizing the role of helper and what the parent is doing to keep the child safe. (Brymer et al., 2006). If your child asks a question that you can’t answer, it’s okay to say you don’t know, but try to get an answer. Ask your child what questions they have and follow their lead on what they want to know. Recognize that your child is feeling a range of emotions, and if you feel the same way, it may be helpful for you to share how you felt as well. Next, discuss how to deal with difficult emotions and emphasize how the family will work through this situation together.

Finally, while these are probably some of the most difficult experiences your family will ever go through, it may be helpful to remember that this is a chapter in your story, not an entire book. . Over time, families and communities can hope to recover.

To find a therapist, visit: Psychology Today’s Therapy Directory.