Helping Children Cope with a Disaster

Why it's important

Disasters are stressful events that can cause significant harm to communities and families. After a disaster, children may develop symptoms of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Mental health plays an important role in physical health, school performance, behavior, and long-term quality of life. It is important to keep children physically and mentally safe before, during, and after a disaster.

An emergency can happen anywhere and at any time. It is important for parents to know what steps they can take to protect their family. Ensure that family members are ready and know what to do when emergencies happen.

Emotional stress from a disaster can be more difficult for children because they:

• Understand less about the situation.
• Feel less able to control events.
• Have less experience dealing with stressful situations.
• May not be able to communicate their feelings, such as fear or anxiety.

Children who have previously experienced trauma or have pre-existing mental health conditions can be more vulnerable when a disaster occurs. Also, children with autism, infants, and toddlers may find it hard to communicate their thoughts and feelings. Parents and caregivers can take steps to help their children cope with traumatic events.

How children may react

Children at any age may feel upset or have other strong emotions after an emergency. Some children react right away, while others may react later. Older children may learn false information from peers. However, parents or caregivers can correct what they hear. Knowing how to help children cope after an emergency can help them stay healthy.

Common reactions to distress will fade over time for most children. However, children who were directly exposed to a disaster can become upset again. Their behavior related to the event may also return if they see or hear reminders of what happened. A child may have different reactions or show common signs of distress at different ages.

Infant to 2 years old may:

• Become crankier
• Cry more than usual
• Want to be held and cuddled more

3 to 6 years old may:

• Return to behaviors they have outgrown. For example:
  • Toileting accidents
  • Bed-wetting
  • Scared about being separated from their parents/caregivers
• Have tantrums or be frustrated
• Show unusual disobedience
• Have trouble sleeping
• Stay away from others
• Have less interest in playing

7 to 10 years old may:

• Feel sad or mad
• Be afraid that the event will happen again
• Have anxiety about going back to school
• Focus on details of the event and want to talk about it all the time
• Not want to talk about the event at all
• Have trouble concentrating on tasks
• Have trouble sleeping

Preteens and teenagers may:

• Respond to trauma by acting out. This could include:
  • Reckless driving
  • Alcohol use
  • Drug use
• Be scared to leave home
• Spend less time with their friends
• Show increased anxiety and depression
• Be overwhelmed by intense emotions and feel unable to talk about them
• Argue and/or fight more with siblings, parents/caregivers or other adults
• Have trouble sleeping or sleep too much

Children with special needs

Children who need continuous use of a breathing machine, those who use a wheelchair, or those who are confined to a bed and children with other physical, emotional, or intellectual limitations may have stronger reactions to a threatened or actual disaster. They might have more intense distress, worry, or anger than children without special needs because they have less control over day-to-day well-being than other people. Children with special needs may require:

• Extra words of reassurance
• More explanations about the event
• More comfort and positive physical contact, such as hugs from loved ones

If children continue to be very upset or if their reactions disrupt their schoolwork or relationships, parents may want to talk to a professional.

Setting an example

Setting a good example for your children is critical for parents and caregivers. Manage your stress through healthy lifestyle choices. This can include:

• Eating healthy
• Exercising regularly
• Getting plenty of sleep
• Not taking drugs
• Not drinking alcohol

When you are prepared, rested, and relaxed, you can respond better to unexpected events. You can also make decisions in the best interest of your family and loved ones. You can further support your child by:

Asking how they feel

• Give your child opportunities to talk about what they went through. Ask them what they think about the experience.
• Encourage your child to share concerns and ask questions.
• Answer your child's questions in a truthful and understandable way. You can also correct any misinformation about the event.

Recreating normal routines

• Return to your normal daily routine and encourage your child to do the same. Eating meals as a family or returning to school and work can help reduce stress.
• If your child's routines and environment get disrupted, talk about the changes. Explain what you are doing to create routines and structures.
• If you or other caregivers are not able to provide the same consistent care as before, talk to your child about how long changes will last.

Being mindful of what they see

• Limit your child's exposure to media coverage of the disaster and its outcome. Children who were directly exposed to a disaster can become upset again if they see or hear reminders of what happened.

You may also talk with school or childcare teachers about how your child is coping in different situations.

Get help from a professional

Children and teenagers may have different but common emotional and behavioral reactions immediately after a disaster. Consider talking to a professional (for example, pediatrician, school counselor, child psychologist, or someone who specializes in children's emotional needs) if:

• Your child continues to be anxious, fearful, sad, or angry for more than two to four weeks after the disaster.
• Your child's problems get worse over time instead of getting better.
• Your child's reactions affect their behavior in early care and education settings, their schoolwork, or their relationships with friends or family for a prolonged period.

Resources

Coping with a disaster

• American Red Cross: Recovering After a Disaster or Emergency
• Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration: Disaster Technical Assistance Center
• National Institute of Mental Health: Coping with Traumatic Events
• National Child Traumatic Stress Network
• Practice Parameter on Disaster Preparedness
• Federal Emergency Management Agency: Coping with Disasters

Children's mental health

• Children's Mental Health
• Helping Teens Cope After a Natural Disaster
• After a Crisis: Helping Young Children Heal
• Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Violence and Disasters: What Parents Can Do (Spanish version)
• The National Child Traumatic Stress Network