Supporting Children and Young People

After traumatic events, children might be upset, angry, withdrawn and so on. They might also have physical symptoms like headaches.

• For children of all ages, it helps to talk, stick with routines, and be careful about reminders of the event.
• Toddlers and preschoolers might need help expressing emotions such as Play Therapy.
• School-age children often need reassurance that they’re not responsible for the event.
• Teenagers might need help to avoid reacting to traumatic events with risky behaviour.

What do you say to a child after a traumatic event?

Try a simple question such as, “How are you feeling today?” Follow any conversations about the recent event with a favourite story or a family activity to help kids feel more safe and calm. Enable your child to tell the story of what happened. This will help them make sense of the event and cope with their feelings.

Let them know it is normal to feel worried or upset. Listen carefully to understand what they are really trying to say. Help them use words to describe their feelings, like “angry,” “sad,” “scared, etc. Putting their thoughts and experiences into words give children a sense of control.

You can always call the service to speak with someone from our Child Support Team for support with your Child.