In a previous article, I looked at how to support adults after a traumatic event. This article will explore options to support children.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT CHILDREN CAN DIFFER A LOT IN HOW THEY REACT TO TRAUMATIC EVENTS:

• One child may perceive an event as deeply traumatic, while another does not.
• Particular types of traumas may affect some individuals more than others.
• A history of trauma may make some children more susceptible to later traumatic events, while others become more resilient as a result.

What are the first priorities for helping a child after a traumatic event?

You need to ensure your own safety before offering help to anyone. Determine whether it is safe to approach the child. Before deciding to approach a child to offer your help, check for potential dangers, including any person who may become aggressive. If you are helping a child who you do not know, introduce yourself and explain that you are there to help. Find out the child’s name and use it when talking to them. Remain calm. Do what you can to protect the child (whether by taking them to a safer location or removing any immediate dangers). Reassure the child that they won’t be left alone, so far as this is possible, and ensure that you, or another adult (such as a professional helper), are available to take care of the child. If you have to leave the child alone for a few minutes to attend to others, reassure the child that you will be back soon. However, try not to behave towards the child in such a way that they feel they are still in danger. If the child is injured, it is important that their injuries are attended to. If you are able to, give the child first aid for their injuries, and seek medical assistance. If the child seems physically unhurt, you need to watch for signs that their physical or mental state is declining, and be prepared to seek emergency medical assistance for them. Be aware that the child may suddenly become disoriented, or an apparently uninjured child may have internal injuries that reveal themselves more slowly. Try to determine what the child’s immediate needs are for food, water, shelter or clothing. However, if there are professional helpers nearby (police, ambulance, or others) who are better able to meet those needs, don’t take over their role. Don’t make any promises you may not be able to keep. For example, don’t promise the child that you will get them home soon, when this may not be the case.

Should the child receive professional help?

Not all children will need professional help to recover from a traumatic event. The following guidelines can help you to determine whether help is needed. If at any time the child becomes suicidal, you should seek immediate professional help. You should seek professional help for the child if, for 2 weeks or more after the trauma:

• The child is unable to enjoy life at all.
• The child displays sudden severe or delayed reactions to trauma.
• The child is unable to escape intense ongoing distressing feelings.
• The child’s post-trauma symptoms are interfering with their usual activities.
• The child’s important relationships are suffering (e.g., if they withdraw from their carers or friends).

You should seek professional help for the child if, for 4 weeks or more after the trauma:

• The child has temper tantrums or becomes fearful, crying and clingy in order to avoid something which reminds them of what happened.
• The child still feels very upset or fearful.
• The child acts very differently compared to before the trauma.
• The child feels jumpy or has nightmares because of or about the trauma.
• The child can’t stop thinking about the trauma.

You should be aware of the types of professional help which are available locally for children. Clinical child psychologists, psychiatrists, pediatricians and family doctors can all be helpful. If you are not the child’s parent or guardian, do not seek professional help for them unless it is an emergency; instead assist the child’s parent or guardian to seek professional help for them.

Note: Mental Health First Aid Australia. Traumatic events: MHFA Guidelines for assisting children. Melbourne: Mental Health First Aid Australia; 2008.