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

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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.
Webinar

Wellbeing for workers supporting children and families after a disaster

Child Family Community Australia & Emerging Minds

Co-produced with Child Family Community Australia (CFCA) will explore how to support workers who engage with children and families during and after disasters or severe weather events. It is intended for both managers and frontline practitioners.
Research summary

Highlights in child mental health research: May 2025

Prepared by AIFS

The May 2025 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 that presents the key messages and highlights. Links to abstracts, full-text articles and related resources, where available, are provided.
Guide

Mindframe: A guide for reporting on child and youth suicide

Everymind

This resource, developed by Everymind, has been developed to provide guidance on developing safe and sensitive public communications about child and youth suicide.
Webinar

What are infants telling us: From neonatal nursery care to supporting optimal infant development

Emerging Minds and Mental Health Professionals' Network (MHPN)

Co-produced with the Mental Health Professionals' Network (MHPN), you'll hear from our multidisciplinary panel who explore the emotional and developmental impacts of preterm birth, highlight the importance of observing and responding to infant cues, and outline practical strategies to strengthen early relationships and support preterm infants' neurodevelopment and mental health in their first year.
Webinar

Understanding and responding to childhood suicidal ideation: A case scenario

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Co-presented with Child Family Community Australia (CFCA), this webinar uses a case scenario to reflect on ethical considerations and practical strategies to help practitioners better understand and support children experiencing suicidal ideation. The panellists will also discuss how practitioners can foster connection, seek the child’s insights, and recognise the strengths of the child and their family.
Short article

The impact of parental incarceration on child behaviour and development

Dr Mandy Truong, Australian Institute of Family Studies

This short article provides an overview of the research evidence on the impacts of parental incarceration on child behaviour and development with a focus on children aged 12 years and under. It outlines the ways in which parental incarceration can impact child outcomes and provides some practice considerations for how practitioners and services can support children.
Research summary

Highlights in child mental health research: April 2025

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This April 2025 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

Responding to childhood suicidal ideation through understanding and curiosity

Amanda Kemperman, Emerging Minds

Children, even at a very young age, can experience significant distress and despair that may lead them to think about suicide. This practice paper highlights the importance of listening and striving to understand children's thoughts, ideas and perspectives on the challenges they face.
Webinar

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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

Wellbeing for workers supporting children and families after a disaster

Highlights in child mental health research: May 2025

Mindframe: A guide for reporting on child and youth suicide

What are infants telling us: From neonatal nursery care to supporting optimal infant development

Understanding and responding to childhood suicidal ideation: A case scenario

The impact of parental incarceration on child behaviour and development

Highlights in child mental health research: April 2025

Responding to childhood suicidal ideation through understanding and curiosity

How to use neurodivergent-affirming strategies to support child mental health

This resource is part of the following toolkits

Community Trauma Toolkit

Toolkit Sections:

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