Families Can Help Children Cope with Fear and Anxiety
(Source: Center for
Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration)
Whether tragic events touch your family personally or are
brought into your home via newspapers and television, you can help children
cope with the anxiety that violence, death and disasters can cause.
Listening and talking to children about their concerns
can reassure them that they will be safe. Start by encouraging them to discuss
how they have been affected by what is happening around them. Even young
children may have specific questions about tragedies. Children react to stress
at their own developmental level.
The federal Center for Mental Health Services offers
these additional pointers for parents and other caregivers:
·
Encourage
children to ask questions. Listen to what they say. Provide comfort and
assurance that address their specific fears. It is okay to admit you can’t
answer all of their questions.
·
Talk on their
level. Communicate with your children in a way they can understand. Don’t get
too technical or complicated.
·
Be honest. Tell
them exactly what has happened. For example, don’t say that someone who has
died has “gone to sleep;” children may become afraid of going to bed.
·
Find out what
else frightens them. Encourage your children to talk about other fears they may
have. They may worry that someone will harm them at school or that someone will
try to hurt you.
·
Focus on the
positive. Reinforce the fact that most people are kind and caring. Remind your
child of the heroic actions taken by ordinary people to help victims of
tragedy.
·
Pay attention.
Your children’s play and drawings may give you a glimpse into their questions
or concerns. Ask them to tell you what is going on in the game or the picture.
It is an opportunity to clarify any misconceptions, answer questions and give
reassurance.
·
Develop a plan.
Establish a family emergency plan for the future, such as a meeting place where
everyone should gather if something unexpected happens in your family or
neighborhood. It can help you and your child feel safer.
If you are concerned about
your child’s reaction to stress or trauma, call your physician or a community
mental health center.
For more information on mental illness contact:
NAMI of Greater
1536
312-563-0445
Fax:
312-563-0467