Children in the short term after a disaster or traumatic event

Emerging Minds, Australia, 2019

Related to Bereavement, loss and grief, Disasters, Preparing for natural disasters, Trauma

Resource Summary

This video, featuring child psychotherapist Ruth Wraith, discusses some of the ways children might feel and behave in the short-term after a disaster. Being close to their primary caregivers and receiving ongoing comfort and support is crucial to assist in recovery.

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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

How educators can support children in the short term following a disaster or community trauma

Emerging Minds

The weeks and first few months after a traumatic event can be overwhelming and filled with change. Distress will be at its highest point immediately after the event and should lessen over the following weeks and months for most people.
Short article

How parents and caregivers can support children in the short term following a disaster or community trauma

Emerging Minds

Supporting your children in the weeks and months after a disaster or traumatic event can feel daunting, this information covers some basic steps you can take to help support their recovery and protect them from 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.
Webinar

Relationships matter: Walking alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents

Child Family Community Australia & Emerging Minds

This webinar with Child Family Community Australia (CFCA) explores ways that practitioners can build a deeper connection with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.
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.

This resource is part of the following toolkits

Community Trauma Toolkit

304 Resources
Toolkit Sections:

Children in the short term after a disaster or traumatic event

Emerging Minds, Australia, 2019

Resource Summary

Discover more resources

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

How educators can support children in the short term following a disaster or community trauma

How parents and caregivers can support children in the short term following 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

Relationships matter: Walking alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents

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

This resource is part of the following toolkits

Community Trauma Toolkit

Toolkit Sections:

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