“Caring for Kids after Trauma, Disaster and Death” is an invaluable guide for parents and professionals seeking to support children in the aftermath of traumatic events. This comprehensive resource provides essential information and practical guidance on understanding and responding to children’s reactions to disasters, trauma, and the loss of a loved one.
The guide is divided into six sections, covering a wide range of topics. It explores children’s reactions to trauma and identifies risk factors associated with traumatic events. It offers guidelines for schools and families, providing steps and strategies to support children in coping with the emotional challenges they may face.
The guide also delves into resilience in children, emphasising the importance of fostering resilience and providing practical tips for parents and professionals. It addresses bereavement reactions and offers guidance on helping children cope with loss, including advice on anniversaries, memorials, and special occasions.
The section on seeking help provides valuable insights into recognising when children may need professional support and offers information on common mental health problems such as PTSD, anxiety disorders, and depression. The guide includes details on available treatments and interventions.
Finally, the practical guide for parents and professionals offers advice on providing for families after trauma or death, advocating for necessary resources, and securing important documents.
With its comprehensive coverage and practical advice, “Caring for Kids after Trauma, Disaster and Death” is an indispensable resource for those working with children affected by traumatic events.
CONTENTS:
SECTION I: REACTIONS TO DISASTER AND TRAUMA
CHAPTER 1: CHILDREN’S REACTIONS TO DISASTERS AND TRAUMA
Introduction
Traumatic stress reactions in children
Age guide to children’s reactions
A note on trauma and bereavement
CHAPTER 2: IDENTIFYING CHILDREN AT RISK
Risk factors related to traumatic events
Natural disasters: Risk factors for children
SECTION II: GUIDELINES FOR HELPING CHILDREN AFFECTED BY DISASTERS AND TRAUMA
CHAPTER 3: GUIDELINES FOR SCHOOLS
Essential first steps for administrators
Essential first steps for teachers and school mental health professionals
Ongoing tasks for school professionals
A note on natural disasters
CHAPTER 4: GUIDELINES FOR FAMILIES
Tips for parents to help their children
Tips for parents to help themselves
Guidelines for friends and family
Helping children with special needs
Stress reduction techniques for adults and children
A note on trauma and bereavement
A note on natural disasters
CHAPTER 5: HELPING CHILDREN COPE BEFORE AND AFTER NATURAL DISASTERS
Preparedness prior to a natural disaster
Importance of preparedness
Tips for preparing for a natural disaster
Tips for helping children cope when exposed to natural disasters
A note on trauma and bereavement
CHAPTER 6: MEDIA EXPOSURE AND TRAUMATIC EVENTS: HOW MUCH MEDIA COVERAGE IS TOO MUCH?
Age guide to children’s reactions to news about war, terrorism and natural disasters
Identifying at-risk behaviors specifically related to terrorism and war
Tips for media exposure
CHAPTER 7: ADDRESSING TOUGH TOPICS AND QUESTIONS: TALKING TO YOUR CHILDREN ABOUT TRAUMATIC EVENTS
Tips for talking to your children about terrorist attacks, war or natural disaster
CHAPTER 8: TERRORISM AND WAR: PREVENTING ANGER FROM FOSTERING BIAS AND HATE
Tips for helping children deal with crisis without fostering bias or hate
SECTION III: RESILIENCE IN CHILDREN AFFECTED BY TRAUMA AND DISASTERS
CHAPTER 9: FOSTERING RESILIENCE
Identifying children at risk
What is resilience?
Considerations for parents and professionals
Tips for helping children cope and fostering resilience
SECTION IV: BEREAVEMENT REACTIONS AND GUIDELINES TO HELPING CHILDREN COPE
CHAPTER 10: CHILDREN AND BEREAVEMENT: REACTIONS TO THE LOSS OF A LOVED ONE
Primary and secondary losses
Bereavement coping tasks
Factors affecting a child’s adjustment to death
Common childhood reactions to the death of a loved one (all ages)
Age guide for how children understand and think about death
CHAPTER 11: HELPING BEREAVED CHILDREN COPE
Promoting healthy coping for children after trauma
Age guide to talking to and caring for bereaved children
CHAPTER 12: ANNIVERSARIES, MEMORIALS AND SPECIAL OCCASIONS
Tips for anniversary preparation
Considerations for teachers and school professionals
Considerations for school administrators and leaders
Considerations for parents and family members
Coping with holidays and special occasions
About memorials and funerals
Deciding to attend a community vigil
The meaning of ceremonies
Illness, injury and hospital visits
SECTION V: WHEN AND HOW TO GET HELP
CHAPTER 13: RECOGNIZING WHEN CHILDREN NEED HELP
When to seek professional help
Mental health problems of concer
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in children
Common questions and answers
How is PTSD treated?
Anxiety disorders in children
Common questions and answers
How are anxiety disorders treated?
Depression in children
Common questions and answers
How is depression treated?
CHAPTER 14: GETTING HELP
Types of mental health professionals
Types of treatments and interventions
Common questions and answers
SECTION VI: PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR PARENTS AND PROFESSIONALS
CHAPTER 15: PROVIDING FOR YOUR FAMILY AFTER TRAUMA OR DEATH
Advocating for yourself and your family:
Obtaining necessary resources
Locating vital documents in order to secure your future
Tips for bereaved parents and spouses
CHAPTER 16: RESOURCES FOR PARENTS AND PROFESSIONALS
Organizations and agencies
Suggested reading and additional resources
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