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Families Can Help Children Cope With Fear and Anxiety
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's OK 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.
Source: Center for Mental Health Services, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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