Children’s mental health at times of disasters

Abstract

: About 40 million children were displaced by disasters in 2020. Displacements associated with natural disasters may be relatively short. Those associated with war and terrorism may continue for a lifetime. Most children experience acute psychologic distress when there is a sudden, unexpected move, regardless of the cause. Depending on pre-existing personality factors, family support, length of displacement and prior trauma, children may develop long term mental health problems, including post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Early identification of psychologic distress and appropriate care of affected children can facilitate resilience and reduce long term problems. Persons who help children in the aftermath of disasters should be prepared to provide basic needs of children, help parents (including provision of respite time), screen for psychologic distress in children and parents, use a trauma informed approach in speaking with children, and provide safe play and recreation opportunities. They should also be aware of cultural differences and practices in their development of programs. This paper provides information about types of disasters, international humanitarian law, types of mental health issues experienced by children in disaster situations, screening tools that may be helpful in assessment of mental health issues, and acute interventions that may reduce long term psychological trauma. Relief workers should recognize that they may also be a risk for psychologic distress related to the tragic situations they experience as well as to their own fatigue. There is a great need for more training of relief workers about the mental health issues of children who experience disasters and for training to prevent mental health distress in relief workers.