Helping Children Cope With Stress/Anxiety After Bushfires

The responses of children to bushfires may be intense and varied. Sometimes their responses can appear immediately after the event, or a few hours or a few days later. Any situation that leaves a child feeling overwhelmed, anxious, alone or helpless can cause uncharacteristic responses, even when the event doesn’t directly impact the child.

These responses are part of an automatic system that all animals and humans share. It is known as the fight, flight or freeze response. Adults can experience this and children can also have similar responses but cannot, as easily, rationalise that they will be okay, or have the resources to feel safe.

The way children see and understand their parent’s response is very important. Children are aware of their parent’s worries most of the time but they are particularly sensitive after a major event. A child’s response also depends on their age, how directly connected they are to the event and the support that they get from the adults in their lives.

Symptoms and Responses Your Child May Exhibit

Some general reactions common to children (these can vary depending on age) are:

• Fearfulness, clinginess

• Grief and loss

• Anger and confusion

• Sadness and emptiness

• Denial, guilt and blame

• Replaying the event and inventing different outcomes

• Irritable or more stubborn

• Withdrawing or showing lack of response

• Changes in eating or sleeping habits

• Bad dreams

• Easily distracted, forgetful

• Physical complaints (such as stomach ache, body aches, headaches, feeling sick)

You can expect these symptoms and responses to last from a few days to a few months, gradually fading as they are able to process the impact of the fires.

 

What Your Child Might Need

• Monitor how much your child is being exposed to television/social media stories regarding the fires; children can be distressed by watching repeated images. Explain to them that news reports will repeat images and stories and it may not be a good idea to keep watching.

• Find out what your child’s understanding of the event is and correct misunderstandings or confusion.

• Include your child in making plans for the future.

• Keep to your regular routines and activities as much as possible.

• Help children to understand that adults are doing everything you can to keep them safe. Ask them what they need to feel safe; and if it is feasible; put their requests into action.

• Secondary reactions may emerge, such as fear of particular locations, or leaving parents. Where possible, anticipate these and prepare for them, as well as being observant of your children’s reactions in various situations after the trauma. 

• Debrief with your child after the bushfires. During this time, listening to them and hearing their story is important in order to reveal any wrong assumptions, fears, or personal blaming they may be experiencing. After listening to supportively, adults can help reframe the crisis for children without implying judgment.

• In the future, consider reading stories about crisis situations and how people helped those involved. Stories that illustrate how other people cared for them after the disaster are especially effective.

 

For more ideas and information, the Headspace, Beyond Blue, or the Child Mind Institute websites have a range of more specific information.

The information above was prepared based on information from the NSW Department of Education and Training, Headspace, Beyond Blue, and “© 2015 EAP Services Ltd – Partnering for Performance Helping Children Cope With The Effects Following a Stressful Event #1550”