Identify children who need the most support. Help them obtain it. Monitor their healing.
Step 1: Identify children who…
- Refuse to go places that remind them of the event
- Seem numb emotionally
- Show little reaction to the event
- Behave dangerously
These children may need extra help.
Step 2: In general, adults should…
- Attend to children
- Listen to them
- Understanding to their feelings, and avoid making judgments/being negative
- Help them cope with the reality of their experiences
Step 3: Reduce effects of other sources of stress, including…
- Frequent moving or changes in place of residence
- Long periods away from family and friends
- Pressures at school
- Transportation problems
- Fighting within the family
- Being hungry/not having other fundamental needs met
Step 4: Monitor healing…
- Always remember that healing from traumatic experiences can take very different amounts of time, depending on the person and the nature of the ordeal.
- Do not ignore severe reactions to trauma, and know when to reach out for additional help, such as other family members or a healthcare professional.
- Be on the lookout for sudden changes in behavior, speech, language use, or heightened emotional states.
Step 5: Remind children that….
- They are loved
- They are safe
- They are supported
5 Steps To Helping Young Trauma Survivors was originally published on blackdoctor.org
