The Australian Child & Adolescent Trauma, Loss & Grief Network

Issue 9, October 2009

This week is Bushfire Action Week in Victoria. We consider the benefits of assisting children and their families to prepare and plan for the possibility of floods, storms, cyclones or bushfires and other hazardous events. The importance of preparedness is that it builds individuals, families and communities capacities to deal with potential threat or disaster, and lessens the likelihood of adverse outcomes. There is an increasing recognition of the importance of preparing for disasters and other mass hazards, so as to mitigate their effects. Preparedness is one of the 4 key themes in the management of disasters, using the All Hazard model.  Prevention aims to lessen the risk of the disaster happening or to mitigate its severity. Preparedness aims to equip individuals, families and communities to deal with the disaster in optimal ways, so as to lessen its impact. For instance, to lessen the impact of trauma, loss and grief for children, adolescents and families. Preparedness means that Response can be more effective and Recovery more successful with fewer negative impacts.

Key elements of preparedness include:

·         Knowing about risks and threats, understanding their likelihood and implications and what can be done to lessen them, or their impact. This knowledge requires information about likelihood, potential warning and what to do about the self and others to protect from injury or death. Preparedness may also include protecting property.

·         Sources of Information about threat and processes for keeping updated about its likelihood are important. It is also important to know what a community member can do and what emergency services or other agencies can do to assist. This may involve knowledge about evacuation, or safe places, shelter or protective strategies. Sources of ongoing information provided by trusted sources or agencies, or through the media and where questions can be asked are also useful. Knowing your community’s plan and preparedness, neighbourhood contacts and so forth will help.

·         Family Plans: It is helpful to have a family plan about what to do in the event of an emergency, and different emergencies. This can involve contact details; where to reconnect if separated; supplies – such as torch, portable radio, batteries, water, food basics, medication and other essentials; and safe places. Letting others know is also good practice.

·         Building resilience and coping strategies helps in dealing with the challenges of everyday life, as well as those of major disasters. For instance checking off the things you have dealt with successfully can remind you of your strengths in the face of other emergencies: using practical common sense; recognising fears are natural and are part of mobilising appropriate action so can be used effectively and enhance the capacity to deal with the challenge.

Preparedness for disaster helps to build resilience for all the adversities of everyday life, reinforcing personal and family competency; building connectedness and support through shared action and mutual assistance; and the protection of children and those who are more vulnerable.  Preparedness is helpful even if an anticipated disaster doesn’t eventuate, or something unexpected does. Not only is there the security of being ready or knowing what can be done,  but also the reinforcement of hopeful and positives future expectancies.

Beverley Raphael

Chairperson
ACATLGN 
What's new at ACATLGN....
ACATLGN is continuing its suite of multimedia resources where you can listen to audios and read interviews with a range of experts speaking about children's trauma, loss and grief issues. Hear Professor Kevin Ronan talk about ways to prepare and plan for natural disasters and download transcripts on our speaking iN BRiEF multimedia webpages. He highlights the value of involving children in preparedness programs. You can also listen toBronwyn Tarrant talk about the role of the network and other organisations following the 2009 Victorian Bushfires.


ACATLGN have launched
new webpages on Preparedness and Disaster Planning. These pages contain resources that are relevant for parents, other carers and school staff to address the needs of children, families and school communities. The resources available look at issues such as preparing for disasters, what parents and teachers can do to help children and what young people can do to help themselves. Click here to visit the preparedness pages. You can download Professor Ronan's article Promoting Child and Familiy Resilience to Disasters as well as the Red Cross Emergency REDiPlan mentioned in his interview.

ACATLGN will be hosting a table at the forthcoming CAMHS / COPMI conference in Adelaide from 26th to 28th October. Please look out for us and come and introduce yourself. We would be happy to talk to you further about the network, answer any questions you may have and learn from your own experience.

Featured online resources....
The Australian Psychological Society (APS) has released a brochure on Psychological Preparedness. This brochure is available to download from the APS website by clicking here. The brochure provides some helpful tips for managing emotions as individuals and communities prepare for the bushfire season.

Emergency Management Australia (EMA) has a website that is devoted to assisting schools, students and parents be prepared for and be able to cope with the effects of disasters. The EMA's schools education program supports the learning and teaching of disaster preparedness and risk reduction to enhance community reilience to the effects of disasters. The program provides a range of publications, videos and interactive learning games for students, teachers and the general public. Click here to visit the website.

The Australian Red Cross provides many resources to help people prepare for and respond to emergencies and natural disasters. Of particular relevance to the ACATLGN and its members is the tip sheet that they provide for parents on talking to children about preparing for emergencies. This tipsheet can be viewed by clicking here. The Red Cross also have a booklet designed for children on emergencies and how they can prepare themselves. This booklet can be accessed by clicking here.
Recent news and events....

Fire Action Week was launched in Victoria on 11th October and runs until 18th October. Fire Action Week is the first dedicated fire preparation week of its kind in Australia. The aim is to assist people to be as fire-safe and as fire-ready as possible so that lives can be protected this fire season.


The National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN) is currently conducting the largest ever survey of Australia's attitudes to child abuse and neglect. Preventing child abuse is everyone's business. Help bring child abuse out into the open. The short survey can be completed online from now until the end of Children's Week on 1st November. Please click here to be connected to the survey.

Upcoming events....
The Centre for Developmental Psychiatry and Psychology at Monash University will host the Helping Children in the Aftermath of Bushfires conference this month. The conference will be held on 19th October in Melbourne. It will focus on recognising and responding to emotional and psychological distress. Please click here to find more information about the conference.

National Children's Week will be held from October 24 - November 1 this year. Children's Week is an annual festival which celbrates the right of children to enjoy childhood. It is also a time for children to demonstrate their talents, skills and abilities. The theme this year is "A Caring World Shares". Please click here to visit the National Children's Week website.
This e-newsletter is powered by PeopleLogic email marketing.