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Helping Young Trauma Survivors

Source: National Institute of Mental Health (extract)

Helping children begins at the scene of the event. It may need to continue for weeks or months. Most children recover within a few weeks.

Some need help longer.

Grief (a deep emotional response to loss) may take months to resolve. It could be for a loved one or a teacher. It could be for a friend or pet. Grief may be re-experienced or worsened by news reports or the event’s anniversary.

Some children may need help from a mental health professional. Some people may seek other kinds of help. They may turn to religious leaders. They may turn to community leaders.

Identify children who need the most support. Help them obtain it. Monitor their healing.

Identify Children Who:

Refuse to go places that remind them of the event
Seem numb emotionally
Show little reaction to the event
Behave dangerously

These children may need extra help.

In general adult helpers should:

Attend to children

Listen to them
Accept/ do not argue about their feelings
Help them cope with the reality of their experiences

Reduce effects of other sources of stress including:

Frequent moving or changes in place of residence
Long periods away from family and friends
Pressures at school
Transportation problems
Fighting within the family
Being hungry

Monitor healing

It takes time
Do not ignore severe reactions
Attend to sudden changes in behaviors, speech, language use, or in emotional/feeling states

Remind children that adults:

Love them
Support them
Will be with them when possible

How Parents Can Help:

After violence or a disaster parents and family should:

Identify and address their own feelings — this will allow them to help others
Explain to children what happened
Let children know:

You love them
The event was not their fault
You will take care of them, but only if you can; be honest
It’s okay for them to feel upset

Allow children to cry
Allow sadness
Let children talk about feelings
Let them write about feelings
Let them draw pictures

DON’T:

Expect children to be brave or tough
Make children discuss the event before they are ready
Get angry if children show strong emotions
Get upset if they begin:

Bed-wetting
Acting out
Thumb-sucking

If children have trouble sleeping:

Give them extra attention
Let them sleep with a light on
Let them sleep in your room (for a short time)

Try to keep normal routines (such routines may not be normal for some children):

Bed-time stories
Eating dinner together
Watching TV together
Reading books, exercising, playing games

If you can’t keep normal routines, make new ones together
Help children feel in control:

Let them choose meals, if possible
Let them pick out clothes, if possible
Let them make some decisions for themselves, when possible.

Help for all people in the First Days and Weeks

Key steps after a disaster can help adults cope. Adults can then provide better care for children. Create an environment of safety. Be calm. Be hopeful. Be friendly, even if people are difficult. Connect to others. Listen to their stories. But, listen only if they want to share. Encourage respect for adult decision-making.

In general help people:

Get food
Get a safe place to live
Get help from a doctor or nurse if hurt
Contact loved ones or friends
Keep children with parents or relatives
Become aware of available help
Become aware of where to get help
Understand what happened
Understand what is being done
Move towards meeting their own needs

Avoid certain things:

Don’t force people to tell their stories
Don’t probe for personal details.
Do not Say:

“Everything will be OK.”
“At least you survived.”
What you think people should feel
How people should have acted
People suffered for personal behaviors or beliefs
Negative things about available help

Don’t make promises that you can’t keep (Ex: “You will go home soon.”)

Source: National Institute of Mental Health (extract)
Added: 28th June 2007