General practitioners

General practitioners (GPs) interact with children and families as part of their everyday working lives. Their training and skills may be called upon to assist in a voluntary or professional capacity before, during and after an event. The pre-existing and ongoing relationships GPs have with children and families are especially valuable in aiding post-disaster recovery.

The resources listed below are designed for GPs working with children and families in areas affected by natural disaster or community trauma.

Select the relevant timeline or view all general practitioner resources below.

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

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

Emerging Minds

These guidelines are intended to assist GPs to help families with children in the short term after a natural disaster or traumatic event. Children of all ages can be profoundly affected by natural disasters such as bushfires, floods, cyclones and severe storms other traumatic events. These events can produce trauma, grief, destruction of children's sense of safety and security, and loss of their home or school/social networks.
Short article

A general practitioner’s guide to supporting children’s mental health immediately following a disaster or traumatic event

Emerging Minds

These guidelines assist GPs to help families immediately following a disaster or traumatic event. Children of all ages can be profoundly affected by natural disasters such as bushfires, floods, cyclones, and severe storms or other traumatic events. These events can produce trauma, grief, destruction of children's sense of safety and security, and loss of their home, school or social networks.
Short article

A general practitioner’s guide to supporting children’s preparedness for a disaster

Emerging Minds

These guidelines assist GPs to help families with children prepare for, respond to and recover from natural disasters. Children of all ages can be profoundly affected by natural disasters such as bushfires, floods, cyclones and severe storms. These events can produce trauma, grief, destruction of children's sense of safety and security, and loss of their home, school or social networks.
Short article

A general practitioner’s guide to common reactions to trauma and loss by children aged 0–5 years

Emerging Minds

Family doctors regularly see the effects of trauma and loss on children of all ages. Many parents present at family practices concerned by their child’s behaviour. At other times, a general practitioner might become concerned that a parent underestimates the effects of trauma on their child.
Practitioners Podcast

Rural children’s voices – episode eight

Multiple guests

Runtime

00:14:30

Released

25/6/20
Practitioners Podcast

Focus on the positive future – episode seven

Multiple guests

Runtime

00:13:09

Released

25/6/20
Practitioners Podcast

Give your child the opportunity to make decisions – episode six

Multiple guests

Runtime

00:10:59

Released

25/6/20
Practitioners Podcast

Support your child’s social connections – episode five

Multiple guests

Runtime

00:18:15

Released

25/6/20
Practitioners Podcast

Be on the lookout for changes in your child’s behaviour – episode four

Multiple guests

Runtime

00:17:20

Released

25/6/20
Practitioners Podcast

Keep an open conversation – episode three

Multiple guests

Runtime

00:14:40

Released

25/6/20
Practitioners Podcast

Try looking at things through your child’s eyes – episode two

Multiple guests

Runtime

00:12:23

Released

25/6/20

General practitioners

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

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

A general practitioner’s guide to supporting children’s mental health immediately following a disaster or traumatic event

A general practitioner’s guide to supporting children’s preparedness for a disaster

A general practitioner’s guide to common reactions to trauma and loss by children aged 0–5 years

Rural children’s voices – episode eight

Focus on the positive future – episode seven

Give your child the opportunity to make decisions – episode six

Support your child’s social connections – episode five

Be on the lookout for changes in your child’s behaviour – episode four

Keep an open conversation – episode three

Try looking at things through your child’s eyes – episode two

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