Tips To Help Children Cope With Traumatic Situation

• TALK. Discuss their experience with them. See if they have questions and help them find the answers to these questions. Let them freely express their own feelings and reactions. Reassure them that these reactions are very normal.

• SUPPORT. Explore different ways for your child to be able to seek the support of others, including parents, other adults (teachers, guidance counselors, relatives), or their peers. Having access to good social support is key to adjusting well.

• EXPRESS. Different people need to grieve in different ways. Encouraging various ways of expressing oneself in a productive and effective manner is ideal. The use of arts and sports is a good example.

• MOURN AND ACCEPT. Our culture has certain rituals to grieve over our dead. Some people offer prayers and light candles. Others might visit the cemetery on a regular basis. These activities are good in mourning the loss of loved ones. It is also a means of helping the children accept the reality of such a traumatic death.

• SEEK HELP. Admittedly, this is a very difficult life circumstance. Seeking the help of a psychologist or a psychiatrist can be valuable.