Natural disasters can have complex implications for a community’s mental health. For infants and children, the effects can be particularly difficult to recognise, understand and respond to.
At MHPN’s webinar, Disaster Preparedness and Response: Supporting Children and Infants Through Trauma, an expert panel explored how health practitioners can work together to better support infants, children and families before, during and after disaster.
While disaster response often focuses on the communities directly affected, the impact of a disaster can extend well beyond the immediate area. People may relocate, have family or social connections to affected communities, or experience ongoing impacts long after the event itself. This means practitioners in any setting may support children and families affected by disaster.
- Children don’t always experience disaster or trauma the way adults expect them to
Facilitator and psychologist Michelle Roberts shared a story about a young boy in a fire-affected community who was fascinated by the flames, not frightened by them. It was an important reminder that a child’s reaction to disaster or trauma may not look the way we expect.
- Supporting children starts with preparation
Children and infants have specific needs during and after disasters, but these needs can be overlooked in broader disaster planning. Australia’s disaster plans mention animals nearly 20 times more often than babies, highlighting the need to think about children and infants when planning for disasters and emergencies.
- A calm, quiet baby isn’t always a settled baby
It can be easy to assume a baby or toddler who seems calm and quiet after a disaster is coping well. That stillness can sometimes be a sign of a child who is anxious, withdrawn or shutting down, and worth a closer look.
Knowing what to look for can help practitioners recognise when an infant or young child may need additional support.
Missed it live?
Due to popular demand, we’re offering a second screening on Friday 14 August at 2pm AEST. Attend to have your CPD certificate issued automatically to your MHPN account.
