Supporting children in the long term after a disaster or traumatic event

Emerging Minds and ANU, Australia, 2018

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

Resource Summary

It can take many months and even years for families and communities to find a ‘new normal’ after a disaster or traumatic event. Children especially need adults in their lives to help them when memories of the disaster, or big feelings like sadness or anger, come up for them, and they may display a variety of behaviours for a long time after the event. This video offers practical tips for supporting children in the long term after a disaster.

Discover more resources

Video

Children in the long term after a disaster or traumatic event

Emerging Minds

This video discusses some of the ways disaster can affect children’s long-term development and behaviours.
Short article

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

Emerging Minds

Children require support in the months (and sometimes even years) after a disaster or traumatic event. While most children recover over time, some continue to experience ongoing difficulties.
Short article

A general practitioner’s guide to supporting children’s mental health in the long term following a disaster or traumatic event

Emerging Minds

Family doctors are well placed to monitor children’s social and emotional wellbeing and mental health. Following a disaster or traumatic event general practitioners become even more critical in providing regular checks, support and advice to both children and their parents.
Short article

Programs that support the mental health and wellbeing of children with incarcerated parents

Beth Thomas-Richards, Australian Institute of Family Studies

This article provides an overview of the types of programs available to support the mental health and wellbeing of children with incarcerated parents. It also outlines considerations for practitioners working with children requiring support.
Webinar

Wellbeing for workers supporting children and families after a disaster webinar

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

Child Family Community Australia & Emerging Minds

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

Prepared by AIFS

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.

This resource is part of the following toolkits

Community Trauma Toolkit

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Toolkit Sections:

Supporting children in the long term after a disaster or traumatic event

Emerging Minds and ANU, Australia, 2018

Resource Summary

Discover more resources

Children in the long term after a disaster or traumatic event

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

A general practitioner’s guide to supporting children’s mental health in the long term following a disaster or traumatic event

Programs that support the mental health and wellbeing of children with incarcerated parents

Wellbeing for workers supporting children and families after a disaster webinar

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

This resource is part of the following toolkits

Community Trauma Toolkit

Toolkit Sections:

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