Special Edition, February 2009

Australia has experienced its worst natural disaster with the Victorian bushfires bringing shock, horror and great sadness for us all. We wish to pay tribute to the courage of all those affected, our respect and our sad condolences for those who have lost loved ones. We recognise the great suffering and challenges faced by all those affected and those who have lost homes, communities, ways of life, connections to place, beloved pets, livestock and properties, and especially the sense of safety and security that are at our core.

Children and young people are particularly vulnerable at this time when people will be feeling shock, numbness, horror and disbelief over the enormity of what has happened. In these early times the most important thing is the coming together of family and loved ones, comforting each other and giving mutual support. The loving family environment is central to the child, as is the sense of security. Children need the comfort of family rituals, meals and schools and need to be with others that are close to them. They need to know that there are people there that care for them.  

Sadness is a core human emotion and a normal part of how we handle loss. Children should be allowed to experience their sadness, knowing that there are people there for them, supporting them, ready to answer their questions and talk with them as they need. Children may find drawing and writing is helpful for them to make sense of what has happened. Young children may find that it is hard to understand what has happened, whilst older children may feel shocked and fearful.  

We know that most children will be resilient and we should recognise and encourage the strengths, optimism and hopefulness that many children will display. Children’s reactions may show in changes in behaviour: in withdrawn, regressive or more aggressive and challenging responses. Over time, some children may have extended difficulties in dealing with their feelings of sadness and their fears and may require special care.  

We send our warmest regards and our support for all those who have been affected and touched by this tragic disaster.  

Beverley Raphael

This newsletter will provide you with links to pages on our website. We hope these will bring you, both now and subsequently, many resources for children, adolescents and families who have been affected in their homes, schools and communities – and that these will help support them through their difficult times.

We are beginning our speaker series on the website – brief audio files and videos from a range of experts speaking about children’s trauma, loss and grief issues.

Listen to Professor Brett McDermott (coming next week). This week he spoke about the emotional recovery of children affected by bushfires on ABC Radio News http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/10/2487808.htm 

This week Beverley Raphael spoke with ABC Radio National on Monday (9 February) regarding the impact the Victorian Bushfire tragedy will have on the community and ways to support eachother. You can find out more by listening to her interview “ How to Cope with Trauma” (14 minutes) on Bush Telegraph at http://www.abc.net.au/rn/bushtelegraph/ 

At http://www.earlytraumagrief.anu.edu.au/disasters_children/ we have provided information and resources that further explain the impact that disasters have on children and young people and what support can be offered to them.

If you have any questions in regard to these resources, or you would like to recommend additional resources for the site, please contact us at earlytraumagrief@anu.edu.au