Coping with Trauma

• Effects of natural disasters on children
• Support for adults' emotional needs

Effects of natural disasters on children

Natural disasters can leave children of all ages feeling confused and scared. Whether children have personally experienced trauma or have merely seen the event on television or heard it discussed by adults, they struggle to make sense of what they are seeing and hearing. It is important for parents, caregivers, and teachers to help children make sense of what is happening. Adults also need to be informed and ready to help if reactions to stress are observed in children's behavior. The following organizations have information for adults working with children who have experienced traumatic events.

• Resources to Help Cope with Natural and Other Disasters, by the American Academy of Pediatrics, at http://www.aap.org/new/disasterresources.htm, and includes links to the following resources:

• When Terrible Things Happen - A Parent's Guide to Talking with Their Children

• Helping the Children: A Practical Handbook for Complex Humanitarian Emergencies

• Helping Children Cope with Natural Disasters, compiled by NCCIC, at http://nccic.acf.hhs.gov/poptopics/disasters.html, lists organizations that have resources that may be useful to parents, caregivers, teachers, and administrators as they help children and youth deal with stress related to natural disasters.

• The American Red Cross has prepared Helping Young Children Cope with Trauma, at http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/keepsafe/childtrauma.html, with information to assist parents and child care providers helping children recover from a traumatic event.

• After the Storm: A Guide to Help Children Cope with the Psychological Effects of a Hurricane is available on the Web at http://www.tapartnership.org/announcements/AfterTheStorm.pdf.

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Support for your emotional needs

It is important to remember to take care of yourself and to monitor your own emotions during these difficult times. You will be a better resource for family members if you take care of your own physical health and emotional well-being.

A toll-free hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) has been established for people in crisis by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Callers will be connected to a network of local crisis counseling centers across the country to receive counseling and mental health referrals from trained staff. The hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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