When a child is unsettled after a flood, fire, accident, violence, illness or another frightening event, families often need calm, practical words to explain what is happening and what to do next. This booklet helps adults recognise stress and trauma reactions in kids, teenagers and young adults, while keeping family support and early help at the centre.
Parents, carers, kinship caregivers and trusted adults supporting children after crisis are the main audience for this booklet. It is particularly suited to families affected by disasters, bereavement, family violence, serious illness, pandemics, accidents, discrimination or other overwhelming experiences, including those looking for child trauma advice, crisis support for children, or parenting help after emergencies.
The booklet explains how trauma can follow a single event or build over time through chronic stress. It names situations such as floods, fires, storms, drought, deaths, relationship breakdowns, abuse, war, racism, medical conditions and media-heavy threats, then describes how these experiences can affect feelings, behaviour, thoughts, development and day-to-day functioning.
Visible sections show a clear structure covering stress and trauma, loss and grief, common reactions by age group, children living with a disability, sleep, parent self-care, coping support, media exposure, suggested activities and where to get help. Age ranges include infants to 5 years, 6 to 11 years, 12 to 18 years and 18 to 25 years, making it useful for families with babies, school-age children, teens and young adults.
In real situations, adults could use it at home after a crisis, in recovery conversations with children, or alongside school wellbeing, social work, counselling or family support sessions. The wording is practical and reassuring, with reminders that no one knows a child as well as their parent, family is a key support network, and early help can prevent greater distress later.
Original content was compiled by Ruth Wraith OAM, child psychotherapist and trauma and disaster consultant, with Australian Red Cross, and reviewed in 2020.
