Caring for kids after a traumatic event

Child Study Center, New York University, United States, 2009

Related to Disasters, Resilience, Responding to traumatic events, Bereavement, loss and grief

Child Study Center, New York University, US
A resource sheet developed for professionals who want to help children cope with traumatic events.

Discover more resources

Book

A terrible thing happened: A story for children who have witnessed violence or trauma

Margaret M. Holmes

This gently-told and tenderly-illustrated story is for children (4-8 year olds) who have witnessed any kind of violent or traumatic behaviour, including physical abuse, school or gang violence, accidents, homicide, suicide, and natural disasters such as floods or fire.
Video

Children in the immediate aftermath of a disaster or traumatic event

Emerging Minds

This video discusses some of the ways children might feel and behave in the immediate time period after a disaster.
Short article

A guide for first responders: Supporting children in the short term after a disaster or community trauma

Emerging Minds

In the months and years after a disaster or traumatic event you may continue to work to support recovery in your community. It can be helpful to have a basic understanding of how events can affect children, and what sorts of responses and behaviours can help support children’s wellbeing and reduce the chances of them having ongoing difficulties.
Short article

Individual and family factors associated with child mental health and wellbeing

Melissa Willoughby and Joanna Schwarzman, Australian Institute of Family Studies

This short article describes the research evidence on individual and family factors associated with child mental health and wellbeing.
Webinar

A whole child approach to disaster recovery

Emerging Minds and Mental Health Professionals' Network (MHPN)

This webinar, co-produced by the Mental Health Professionals Network (MHPN), our panel of experts explore ways to support infants and children following a disaster.
Research summary

Highlights in child mental health research: October 2024

Prepared by AIFS

This October 2024 research summary provides a selection of recently released papers, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses related to infant and child mental health. Each summary includes an introductory overview of the content for the month, followed by a list of selected articles. Each article is accompanied by a brief synopsis which presents the key messages and highlights. Links to abstracts, full-text articles and related resources, where available, are provided.
Research summary

Highlights in child mental health research: September 2024

Prepared by AIFS

This September 2024 research summary provides a selection of recently released papers, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses related to infant and child mental health. Each summary includes an introductory overview of the content for the month, followed by a list of selected articles. Each article is accompanied by a brief synopsis which presents the key messages and highlights. Links to abstracts, full-text articles and related resources, where available, are provided.
Practice paper

Why we need to support infants and children before, during and after disasters

Emerging Minds

Infants and children rely on the adults around them to meet their needs, keep them safe and help them to make sense of their world. This puts them at greater risk of adverse impacts when a disaster occurs. This practice paper introduces the foundational knowledge and skills needed to support children and families at all stages of a disaster (preparedness, response and recovery).
Practice paper

Disaster preparedness with a focus on infants, children and families

Emerging Minds

This practice paper is designed to help you understand the importance of disaster preparedness for not only increasing safety and protecting lives when a disaster occurs, but facilitating the recovery of individuals, families and communities. It also offers practical advice for supporting the disaster preparedness of the children and families you work with.
Practice paper

Understanding how disasters influence infants and children

Emerging Minds

This practice paper aims to equip practitioners with knowledge about the ways disasters can influence a child’s ecology and the importance of targeted support for children’s resilience and recovery in the short and long term.
Practice paper

Supporting infants, children and families in an evacuation

Emerging Minds

This practice paper explains why it’s important to consider pregnant people, infants, children and families in evacuation planning and management. It provides practical considerations and strategies for ensuring evacuation procedures and centres meet the needs of infants, children and families and enhance their safety, wellbeing and recovery.
Practice paper

How psychological first aid can support infants, children and families who experience a disaster (part one)

Emerging Minds

This paper is the first of two and introduces psychological first aid (PFA), a psychosocial support approach that can reduce distress and support the mental health of infants, children and families who have experienced a disaster.

Caring for kids after a traumatic event

Child Study Center, New York University, United States, 2009

Discover more resources

A terrible thing happened: A story for children who have witnessed violence or trauma

Children in the immediate aftermath of a disaster or traumatic event

A guide for first responders: Supporting children in the short term after a disaster or community trauma

Individual and family factors associated with child mental health and wellbeing

A whole child approach to disaster recovery

Highlights in child mental health research: October 2024

Highlights in child mental health research: September 2024

Why we need to support infants and children before, during and after disasters

Disaster preparedness with a focus on infants, children and families

Understanding how disasters influence infants and children

Supporting infants, children and families in an evacuation

How psychological first aid can support infants, children and families who experience a disaster (part one)

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