-from Dr. Emily Gonzales, the Immigration Committee Chairperson for the Virginia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics

“International wars and conflict heighten our sense of danger and may cause worry about what will happen in the days and weeks ahead. Those with families in the region may be concerned about the safety of their loved ones as well as with how their children may be impacted in their own communities. Some may be hearing about the death of their loved ones or finding out that they are missing or in direct danger. Others have seen the disturbing images and videos online or when watching the news. This region is diverse with a long and complex history. As a result of these recent events, many may experience additional pain, heartbreak, feelings of disbelief, anxiety, and outrage. The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) (www.nctsn.org) has resources to help parents and caregivers talk about the current situation with their children, including ways to support them and ways to support others who may be impacted. NCTSN also has resources for those who have loved ones who were killed or injured by the conflict, those who have a family member involved in the conflict and those who may be in danger. Many families in the United States have roots in the Israel-Palestine-Gaza region and are worried about their children’s exposure to escalating verbal aggression, hate crimes, or threats at school or in their communities. The NCTSN also has resources to help adults talk with children if they experience hate or verbal aggression and to explain why additional safety measures might be in place at religious institutions or schools.”

General Child Trauma Resources

• How to Talk with Children about the Israel-Hamas War: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/emotional-wellness/Pages/how-to-talk-with-your-child-about-the-israel-gaza-war.aspx
• How to Talk with Children about Gaza and Israel: https://www.npr.org/434-975-7777/how-to-talk-to-children-violence-israeli-palestinian-gaza-hamas?utm_source=ground.news&utm_medium=referral
• Best collection of resources: Resources for Educators, Families to Discuss the Events in Israel and Gaza with Students | post (sdcoe.net)
• Talking to Children about War
• Age-Related Reactions to a Traumatic Event
• Assisting Parents/Caregivers in Coping with Collective Trauma
• Talking to Children: When Scary Things Happen
• Talking to Teens: When Scary Things Happen
• Creating Supportive Environments: When Scary Things Happen
• Psychological First Aid for Displaced Children and Families
• Traumatic Separation and Refugee and Immigrant Children: Tips for Current Caregivers
• After a Crisis: Helping Young Children Heal
• Understanding Refugee Trauma: For School Personnel, For Mental Health Professionals, and For Primary Care Providers
• Coping in Hard Times: Fact Sheet for Parents, Youth, and School Personnel
• Helping Youth after Community Trauma: Tip for Educators
• Helping Children with Traumatic Grief: Young Children, School-Age Children, and Teens
• Pause-Reset-Nourish (PRN) to Promote Wellbeing (for providers)

Psychological First Aid

The NCTSN also has resources for responders on Psychological First Aid(PFA). PFA is an early intervention to support children, adolescents, adults, and families impacted by these types of events. PFA Mobile and the PFA Wallet Cardprovide a quick reminder of the core actions. The PFA online trainingcourse is also available on the NCTSN Learning Center. PFA Handouts include:

• Parent Tips for Helping Infants and Toddlers
• Parent Tips for Helping Preschoolers
• Parent Tips for Helping School-Age Children
• Parent Tips for Helping Adolescents
• Tips for Adults
• When Terrible Things Happen

Military and Veteran Family Resources

• Working Effectively with Military Families: 10 Key Concepts All Providers Should Know
• Understanding Child Trauma & Resilience: For Military Parents and Caregivers
• Traumatic Grief for Military Children: Information for Families
• Honoring Our Babies and Toddlers: Supporting Young Children Affected by a Military Parent’s Deployment, Injury, or Death (Zero to Three)
• Sesame Street for Military Families (website)
• Community Support for Military Children and Families Throughout the Deployment Cycle (Center for Study of Traumatic Stress, CSTS)
• Strengthening Military Families to Support Children’s Well-Being(CSTS)
• Helping Children Cope During Deployment(CSTS)