Mental health experts say children are especially vulnerable during and after a disaster. Even if they haven’t lost belongings or a loved one, children are susceptible to all the anxiety and uncertainty around them.
In the aftermath of a disaster, adults may be too stressed to realize how their emotions are affecting the children in their lives. If you’re feeling stressed, we encourage you to follow these Red Cross recommendations:
- Take a few deep breaths to relax.
- Count to 10 before speaking.
- Talk to an adult family member or friend.
- Take a short break. Ask a family member or trusted friend to look after the child while you “regroup.”
- Be consistent and positive in your rules for behavior.
- Use patience – never use harsh words.
- Show love and respect
- Give extra comfort to your family.
Children can be affected directly by the stress of a disaster, whether they are involved or are unintentionally exposed through conversations or media reports. Experiences such as being evacuated, seeing others hurt or being hurt themselves, or seeing adults panic can be traumatic. Losing belongings, a loved one, or a pet; or even losing contact with friends or teachers can set off a cascade of grief or unexpected behavior.
It’s important for parents and other caregivers to understand what is causing a child’s anxieties. Following a disaster, children are usually most afraid that:
- The event will happen again.
- Someone close to them will be killed or injured.
- They will be left alone or separated from their family.
Adults can clarify misunderstandings of danger by acknowledging children’s concerns. Talking about how the adults and the community are preparing for the future can strengthen a child’s sense of safety and security.
Listen to what a child is saying. If a child asks questions, answer with age appropriate detail; children vary in the amount of information they need and can understand. If a child has trouble expressing his or her thoughts and feelings, encourage them to draw a picture or tell a story about what’s troubling them. The Red Cross suggests parents and caregivers:
- Encourage the child to talk and listen to their concerns.
- Calmly provide information about what happened and plans for ensuring their safety.
- Be sure the child gets plenty of rest.
- Involve the child in updating a family disaster plan and in making a disaster supplies kit.
- Practice the disaster plan.
- Involve the child by giving them specific tasks to let them know they can help restore family and community life.
- Spend extra time with the child.
- Re-establish daily routines for work, school, play and meals.
- Limit exposure to news coverage of the disaster. Especially for young children, repeatedly watching images of an upsetting event can lead them to believe it is happening again and again.