Providing Psychosocial Support to Children and Families in the Aftermath of Disasters and Crises

• 2015

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• David Schonfeld; Thomas Demaria; Steven Krug; Sarita Chung; Daniel Fagbuyi; Margaret Fisher; Scott Needle; Michael Yogman; Thresia Gambon; Arthur Lavin; Keith Lemmon; Gerri Mattson; Laura Joan McGuinn; Jason Rafferty; Lawrence Wissow
PMID: 26371193DOI: https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2015-2861

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About

This report offers guidance for helping children cope after disasters. It describes how disasters can affect children's mental health, causing stress, anxiety, or depression. Pediatricians are encouraged to support families by identifying signs of distress and providing coping strategies. The report emphasizes creating a safe environment, offering psychological first aid, and maintaining routines. It also highlights the importance of addressing bereavement and secondary stresses like financial strain or family issues that may arise after a disaster.

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Tags

Focus Area: Trauma

Audiences: Behavioral Health Professionals; Emergency Managers; Nurses; Physicians

Emergency Management Stages: Mitigation; Response; Recovery

Collection: Disaster Research Literature Review

Keywords: Bereavement; Crisis Intervention; Disasters; Mental Health; Risk Factors; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Family Health; Emergencies; Psychological First Aid

Institutions: American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)

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