Helping children cope after disasters
Disasters can happen at any time and often with very little or no warning. Children are at an increased risk for emotional and psychological issues post-disaster. A childs behavior after a disaster will vary depending on age, developmental capabilities, and exposure to the incident. During or immediately after an event, emphasis should be placed on providing the child with psychological first aid to minimize the impact on the child.
In the immediate aftermath of a natural, technological, or human-caused disasters, there is an increase possibility for children to become separated from their parents or legal guardians. Studies have also shown that children that are separated from their parents or caregivers during a disaster are more susceptible to mental health issues long term (https://www.fatherly.com/health-science/hurricane-harvey-psychology-children/).
In 2015, Save The Children published the 2015 National Report Card on Protecting Children in Disasters, Still At Risk; US Children 10 Years After Katrina. One of the key findings was aggression in children post-disaster intensifies. The National Commision on Children and Disasters reported that "many children experience academic failure, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, bereavement, delinquency and substance abuse" after a disaster. Much of this is attributed to children not being able to seek out the help that they need, leading to long-lasting impacts in the child.
Carolyn Kousky, Director of Policy Research and Engagement at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton Risk Center warns that “[t]here are many reasons children may be more vulnerable than adults after a disaster. They rely on caregivers. If they are very young, they may not be able to understand the circumstance or communicate their needs. They may also have more difficulty processing emotional trauma. Studies have found that younger children tend to have more post-disaster symptoms and that children that are prone to anxiety are also more likely to experience negative mental health impacts from a disaster”. Additionally, “[c]hildren that are separated from their parents are more likely to have trouble processing the event and may take longer to recover”.
As we are continuing to watch the events unfold in Houston, we are reminded that planning and preparing BEFORE a disaster saves lives. How prepared YOU are will directly impact your family. Remember, parent’s stories are children’s experiences.
Here are a few things as parents you can do to help children understand, cope, and recover from disasters:
Limit media exposure that show disturbing scenes of the disaster;
Provide for basic needs such as food, water, and shelter;
Try and maintain a “normal” activities and limit unnecessary changes;
Children will look to you for your reaction and behavior. You set the tone;
If you evacuate, ensure your child has a ‘Go-Bag’ with familiar items such as a family photo, stuffed animal, favorite book or toy. (Lego’s, action figures, Barbie’s, dolls, etc. are great to have as a child may express their emotions through play with these items);
Consider the ‘direct exposure’ to the disaster;
Encourage your child to talk, but do not force it. Listen and ask questions such as:
What does your child think is happening?
What does your child understand about the help disaster responders are aiding in?
What is your child most confused about?
What is your child most upset about?
Answer your child’s concerns simply and honestly;
Let your child know they weren’t responsible for the disaster;
Learn what’s in place and what is coming for your neighborhood;
Allow your child to express their feelings through alternate means such as illustration or play;
Common reactions to disasters include:
Trouble sleeping;
Trouble at school or with friends;
Trouble listening, finishing chores or assignments;
Irritable, angry and sad.
Talk about any issues you see with your support network such as friends, school, and doctors and seek out professional support earlier than later.
Only time will tell how Hurricane Harvey impacts the children of Houston. Save The Children (www.savethechildren.org), tracks states' progress post-disaster and the impact it has on the Children and will continue to do so after this catastrophic event.
*If you would like to help the victims of #HurricaneHarvey, please do so through your choice of Charity. The overwhelming response of spontaneous donations has created a second disaster in managing these donations. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/when-disaster-relief-brings-anything-but-relief/
Here are a list charities and articles that are supporting this relief effort:
https://mobile-nytimes-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/mobile.nytimes.com/2017/08/28/us/donate-harvey-charities-scams.amp.html
©2017Sutherlin & Rosene Consulting Group, LLC.