Wellbeing 

Helping children cope after tragic events: Information for parents, caregivers and teachers

Many people are still reeling from the tragedy that happened at Christchurch. The Australian Psychological Society (APS) has put up information to help children and young people cope. Read on and you may find that it can also apply to you or anyone you know in the community who may have been affected.

Distressing events like tragic accidents in your local area, or that took place in familiar places like a popular holiday location, or even disasters that happen far away, but are covered by the media, can be powerful and upsetting incidents that intrude into daily life.

This resource sheet includes some helpful tips for parents, caregivers and teachers for helping children and young people to cope following local, national, or even world tragedies.

Guidelines for parents, caregivers and teachers

Distressing events like tragic accidents in your local area, or that took place in familiar places like a popular holiday location, or even disasters that happen far away, but are covered by the media, can be powerful and upsetting incidents that intrude into daily life. Many people can have strong emotional or physical reactions like sorrow, anger, confusion, or even fear in the aftermath of tragedy. Whilst they may not have experienced the incident first hand, these emotional reactions can be sadness for the people who lost their lives or lost loved ones, as well as a response to other types of losses. They may experience the loss of their sense of safety, their trust in the ‘people in charge’, or the government and authorities, or the event might trigger feelings around a personal experience of loss or grief. For most, these reactions subside over a few days or weeks. For some, the feelings and reactions may last longer and be more severe. Even following such events from a distance in the media can be distressing. Indeed, the way the media portray these events can make them seem even more overwhelming or distressing.

What can parents, caregivers and teachers do?

Talk about the events

Encourage (but don’t force) children to talk about their thoughts and feelings about the events. Let them know that talking about it can be a good thing.

Monitor media exposure

Children can become distressed and fearful after watching repeated images of frightening events on the television, as well as other forms of media, and can come to believe that the world is a scary place. Adults can shield young children from traumatic events by not letting them see or hear media reports or overhear adult conversations about the events. If older children are viewing media stories of distressing events, it is best to watch with them. 

Engage in age-appropriate honest discussions

Children need honest, thoughtful explanations that will help them to develop a realistic understanding of the event, but they might also need our support to help them reconcile the uncertainties. You could say things like, ‘We don’t know yet how this [accident] happened. Sometimes things break/go wrong/people make mistakes in ways that nobody was expecting. These events are extremely rare, but very scary and sad for the people involved’. This acknowledges the severity of the event, but also reassures them that it is an unlikely event.

Look out for possible stress reactions

Look out for changes in children’s usual behaviour that suggest they are unsettled or distressed. This may include difficulty sleeping, being more clingy than usual, or changes in appetite. There may also be problems with attention and concentration, an increase in irritability and mood swings, or being more withdrawn than usual.

Recognise safety and security needs and reassure children

Talk to children and young people about the helpers and the heroes that help to make the world a better place.

Foster hope

In the aftermath of tragic events we can also be reminded of the goodness of people.

Pay attention to your own reactions

Children may respond to the anxieties felt and expressed by the people around them. They often see and hear far more than adults are aware of, and they will take their cues for how to respond from you.

Seek professional assistance

Talking with a psychologist may be helpful if you feel you need further assistance with communication techniques that will assist you in discussing important issues. Your APS psychologist has at least six years of education and training to equip them to provide a professional and efficient service.

Care in Mind

Care in Mind offer FREE online and phone counselling for people living, working or studying in Melbourne's northern, central and western suburbs.

Please visit their website for more information https://careinmind.com.au/

Mark Brosas

Student Wellbeing Team Coordinator