Children Not Immune To Disaster Stress
Release Date: September 14, 2007
Release Number: 1720-028
» More Information on Ohio Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes
FINDLAY, Ohio -- It's important for parents and guardians to keep in mind that children can be particularly vulnerable to stress as a result of the recent severe storms and flooding.
"Children may suffer from anxiety because of disaster losses and the upheaval of family life," said Sandra Stephenson, MSW, MA, Director of the Ohio Department of Mental Health. "Most children bounce back quickly with social support and the aid of their families, but it is important to be aware of your child's reaction to stress and anxiety and to seek additional help if necessary."
Caregivers of children should be alert to signs of trouble and how to handle them. For children ages 5 or younger, watch for behaviors like crying more frequently than usual, clinging, having nightmares, showing excessive fear of the dark, fear of animals, fear of being alone, changing appetites, speaking with difficulty, or returning to outgrown behaviors such as bed-wetting or thumb-sucking.
Children aged 5 to 11 may exhibit increased irritability, aggression, and competition with their siblings for parental attention. They may also show anxiety through whining, withdrawing from their peers, and losing interest in normal activities. Those 11 to 18 may show outright rebellion, physical problems, or sleep disturbances.
The following suggestions may help to reduce stress in children:
- Spend some time each day giving each child your undivided attention, even if just for a few minutes. Share experiences. Reaffirm your love. Make plans together. Just "be there" for each other.
- Encourage them to talk. Encourage children to describe what they are feeling. Let them talk about the disaster and ask as many questions as they like. Listen to what they say. Assure them that the disaster was an act of nature and not caused by them. Include the entire family in the discussion if possible.
- Understand their fears. It is important that parents accept anxieties as being very real to children. Help them cope by getting them to understand what causes their anxieties and fears. Recognize their losses, such as their pets, favorite toys and other personal items. Reassure them that everything will be all right.
- Inform children. Make every effort to keep children informed about what is happening. Explanations should be in simple language. With children 5 or older, rehearse safety measures for use in case of future disasters.
- Reassure them. Parents can help reassure children by telling them they are safe, holding and hugging them frequently, restoring normal routines, providing play experiences for them, and making bedtime a special moment of calm and comfort.
- Encourage activities with their peers. As with adults, social time with friends is a very important part of the recovery process.
- Temporarily lower expectations for them. Allow for the fact that stress from the disaster can show itself in many ways over a period of time, and make appropriate allowances.
Through your persistence, children will realize life will eventually return to normal. If a child does not respond to the above suggestions, seek help for them from a behavioral health professional.
For more information about services available in your county, please contact your local behavioral health board:
Allen County and Hardin County
Mental Health & Recovery Services Board of Allen, Auglaize, and Hardin Counties
419-222-5120
www.wecarepeople.org
Crawford County
Crawford-Marion Board of Alcohol, Drug Addiction & Mental Health Services
419-562-7288 (Bucyrus) 740-387-8531 (Marion)
www.mcadamh.com
Hancock County
Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board of Hancock County
419-424-1985
www.hancockadamhbd.org
Putnam County
Mental Health Alcohol & Drug Addiction Recovery Board of Putnam County
419-523-0027
Richland County
Richland County Mental Health & Recovery Services Board
419-774-5811
Seneca County and Wyandot County
Mental Health & Recovery Services Board of Seneca, Sandusky & Wyandot Counties
419-448-0640
More information about coping with disaster is also available on the Ohio Department of Mental Health Web site at www.mh.state.oh.us.
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Friday, 14-Sep-2007 12:10:27