Helping Children Cope with Disaster

Hints for Families During Recovery

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ST. PETER, Minn., April 5, 1998 -- Disasters often disrupt home life and daily routine for affected families. Children may become anxious, confused or frightened. Adults need to cope with the disaster in a way that will help children avoid developing a permanent sense of loss. "It's important to give children guidance that will help them reduce their fears," said Robert Tannenbaum, Licensed Social Worker, Disaster Mental Health Officer for the American Red Cross disaster headquarters in St. Peter.

According to Tannenbaum, children look to parents and other adults for help, taking cues on how to act from those around them. When adults react with alarm, a child may become more scared because they see the adults' fear as proof that the danger is real. When "grown-ups" appear overwhelmed or depressed, children feel their losses more strongly.

"Children are most afraid that the event will happen again, someone will be injured or killed, that they will be separated from their family or left alone," Tannenbaum explained. "Now that the danger has passed and recovery is in progress, concentrate or your child's emotional needs and ask the child what's uppermost in his or her mind."

The Red Cross has 12 disaster mental health professionals assigned to the relief efforts in south central Minnesota who are available to counsel disaster victims and workers. To date they have provided 327 counseling sessions with individuals or families. Tornado victims may consult with a disaster mental health worker by visiting a Red Cross service center or by calling the Red Cross HOTLINE, 1-888-853-6846.

Ways to reduce a child's fear and anxiety include:

-- Keep the family together. While you look for housing and assistance, you may want to leave your children with relatives or friends. Find ways to keep the family together as much as possible and make children a part of what you are doing to get the family back on its feet. Choose a routine such as attending a church service together and remain in contact by phone, if separated.

-- Calmly and firmly explain the situation. As best you can, tell children what you know about the disaster. Explain what will happen next. For example, say, "On Monday, when the power comes on, we can return to our house." Speak to them at their level of understanding.

-- Encourage children to talk. Let children talk about the disaster and ask questions as much as they want. If possible, include the entire family in the discussion. Listen as children describe what they're feeling. Playing is often the means to work out their feelings.

-- Include children in recovery activities. Give children chores to help them feel part of the recovery. Having a task will help them understand that everything will be all right. They will also need to be reminded of the progress that everyone's efforts make in reaching a goal.

The Red Cross and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, has prepared a brochure, Helping Children Cope With Disaster, which is available from Red Cross chapters. It includes suggestions to help children cope with disasters, but ultimately parents should decide what's best from their children.

Residents of the tornado-affected area who have not yet visited the Red Cross may still apply for assistance at:

-- Bartlett Hall, St. Peter Regional Treatment Center, 100 Freeman Dr., St. Peter

-- Springfield Public Schools, 12 S. Burns Ave., Springfield

Also, mobile casework outreach can help anyone affected by the tornado. Those needing assistance should call the Red Cross HOTLINE 1-888-853-6846 if they have questions about Red Cross assistance.

CONTACT: American Red Cross Disaster Relief Headquarters, 507-931-9369, or Kevin Gaydosh, pager, 507-386-9567, or Sue Banovetz, pager, 612-818-6618, both of American Red Cross