 |
IN TIME OF STRESS
AND CONFLICT, DON’T FORGET THE CHILDREN
Promoting positive mental health and the well being of children, adolescents
and their families should be a high priority for governments, human service
organizations and schools throughout the year. Paying added attention
to the mental and emotional health of our children and adolescents is
even more important during times of major stress and conflict such as
the world is currently experiencing.
The tension, disruption and uncertainty caused
by the war in Iraq are having major impact on the daily
lives and routines of adults worldwide.
Anger, fear, worries about possible terrorism, the very real
concern for safety and survival of both civilians and military
personnel in the
region – all of these factors create heightened stress and
anxiety for everyone. For some, they bring on strong feelings
of hopelessness and
depression, and may result in post-traumatic stress syndrome.
The overwhelmingly constant connection to the ongoing military
conflict created by worldwide
media coverage lends an additional sense of “virtual reality” to
the unfolding events that is difficult to escape.
Given this heightened effect that war, its
coverage by the media, and the related world events of
protests, economic uncertainty and increased
anxiety about terrorism has on adults, what about its impact
on children and adolescents? Thus, WFMH urges parents,
teachers, and others who care
for children and adolescents – “IN TIME OF STRESS AND CONFLICT,
DON’T FORGET THE CHILDREN!”
The following information offers some suggestions and activities that
can be used by adults to help children and young people better understand
and cope with the very real and natural reactions they are experiencing
as a result of the events surrounding them.
FEARS AND ANXIETY
Anxiety is a normal part of life for children, adolescents and adults.
This is usually a temporary response to stress. In time of war, the factors
that cause increased levels of anxiety and fear for young people are
many and may include:
- Separation from parents who are in the military and are
called to active duty.
-
Non-stop media coverage that may include “real time” action
and depictions of violence and death.
- Expressions of anger, worry or fears by parents and other
adults in the presence of children.
-
For those living in or near “war zones,” concerns for basic
safety and survival.
While anxiety and fears are normal
emotions, prolonged exposure to real and perceived danger
and uncertainty can have an harmful impact
on the
emotional health of children, and may, in some instances,
require assistance from mental health professionals.
Untreated severe and persistent anxiety
that lasts for a longer period of time may make it
difficult for a child to participate in normal activities and enjoy
life. Parents, teachers
and other caretakers need to be particularly aware
of
the stress, fear, and anxiety that children experience
in response to war and its related
events – and to help them understand, cope with, and
overcome their concerns and worries.
Some Signs to Look For
A child or adolescent with anxiety may show some of the following signs:
- Constant thoughts and fears about the safety of self and
parents.
- Refusing to go to school.
- Frequent stomachaches and other physical
complaints.
- Becoming upset or worried about sleeping away
from home.
- Becoming panicky or having tantrums when separated
from parents.
- Finding it difficult to meet or talk to new
people.
- Withdrawing from situations that will involve meeting
new people.
- Worrying excessively about things before they
happen.
- Worrying excessively about school, friends, sports.
- Needing a lot
of reassurance to try anything new.
- Being preoccupied with
cleanliness and hand washing.
- Finding it difficult to relax
or go to sleep.
(Family Help Kit, “Fears and Anxiety” NSW HEALTH, New South
Wales, Australia)
How Adults Can Help
There are many things that parents and other people who are important
to children and adolescents can do to help them cope with heightened
anxiety and traumatic situations:
- First of all, don’t be hesitant to
talk to children and adolescents about their fears and
anxieties, and the reasons for such emotions.
- When a child
brings up the traumatic event, don’t discourage them from
talking about it and about how it affects them.
- Use language
that is appropriate to their age.
- Provide them with simple
honest answers. Imagined details may be more disturbing
and may only worsen their anxiety,
rather than helping them overcome it.
- Be prepared to discuss the same details
many times. Be patient, and repeat clear honest answers
for the child.
- Help your child avoid false reasoning about
the cause of the events that are disturbing them. Let them
know that
adults also don’t always understand why things happen.
- Ensure that they realize
they are not to blame for what has happened.
- Do your best
to be supportive, loving and predictable.
- Notify other
carers and teachers that the child is experiencing heightened
anxiety and fear in relation to the war and
its related events.
- Work with the child to reduce their exposure to media coverage
of the event (including through the Internet as well as
television). Encourage them to engage in physical play and exercise.
- Seek help
early when it becomes apparent that the child’s anxiety
and fears are having an impact on their emotional
and physical health.
(Family Help Kit, “Post Traumatic Stress”, NSW HEALTH, New
South Wales, Australia)
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
To download copies of helpful information on Child and Adolescent Mental
Health, visit the website of NSW HEALTH, (New South Wales Health Department,
Australia) at http://www.health.nsw.gov.au
For information on helping children and adolescents cope with violence
and disasters, visit the website of the National Institute of Mental
Health (US), at http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/violence.cfm
For a copy of the 2002 WFMH World Mental Health Day materials packet
on The Effects of Trauma and Violence on Children, contact WFMH, at [email protected]
THE THEME FOR WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY 2003
IS “EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIORAL
DISORDERS OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS. Reserve a copy of
the campaign materials packet (available in mid-June 2003)
by providing your mailing
address at [email protected]
|
