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| The Australian Child & Adolescent Trauma, Loss & Grief Network |
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Issue 6, May 2009
There are many challenges facing children, adolescents and families in their everyday lives, but more so in recent weeks. Storms and floods in some regions, ongoing drought in others; the global financial crisis and the impacts on Australian jobs and financial security, and now “Swine Flu” or H1N1 Influenza.
All these and many other issues directly affect children and young people in their families, schools and community settings. Dislocation of families from their homes and communities, and children from their schools, has been a significant consequence of mass natural disasters in recent times and these experiences are inherently stressful. “Swine Flu” has already lead to school closures, home quarantine, wearing of face masks, all in themselves stressful experiences, but ones that can be managed. To date this illness has been relatively mild, but its nature and course are being closely monitored by health experts. Positive strategies have been developed and put in place to lessen risk, limit the spread of the infection, and to treat it if this is required.
Nevertheless this is a worrying time for many, especially those with children and adolescents in their families, and in other settings and schools. This is the more so if there are multiple stressors co-occurring, as with the aftermath of the Victorian Bushfires, and the development of this influenza epidemic, as well as financial stresses. Distress related to death, trauma, loss and grief may be prevalent in these circumstances.
Families and those working with children can look to what might be helpful in building resilience and capacity to deal with such challenges in the weeks ahead. Remember that there is great resilience in families, schools and communities. Hope; communication and information; connecting, comforting and caring and accessing strengths and effective coping strategies will all make a difference. If you need extra help don’t be afraid to ask; and if you need health care, seek this from your GP, your family doctor. Get engaged in whatever is needed to address these challenges and to continue on in ways that will strengthen children’s and adolescents’ futures.
Click here to read the latest tip sheet from ACATLGN – Coping with the Stress of an Influenza Outbreak.
For information from the Australian Government on the human swine flu, or to seek help with a notification call 180 2007, or visit the Health Emergency website.
Beverley Raphael
Chairperson
ACATLGN
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| What's new at earlytraumagrief....
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- ACATLGN has recently launched a Tip Sheets page on the earlytraumagrief website. The network has worked closely with trauma, loss and grief professionals to develop a number of Tip Sheets to address issues relevant to Australian children, young people and their families. Extra tip sheets are added regularly. Click here to view the Tip Sheets that are currently available.
- Ruth Wraith is a disaster recovery consultant and child psychotherapist and is one of Australia's leading disaster mental health experts. She recently spoke to the ACATLGN about the medium and long term effects of trauma and loss on children and adolescents. You can listen to her talking about this by clicking here. You can also listen to other experts in the child and adolescent trauma, loss and grief area by visiting our Speaker Series page.
- ACATLGN has continued to add new information to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Families and Communities Hub. You can now find information on Loss and Grief, Social Justice and Human Rights, Cultural Awareness, Out of Home Care and Resilience. More information and resources will continue to be added over the coming weeks. You can visit this hub by clicking here.
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| Featured online resources....
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- The Embrace the Future Resiliency Resource Centre is a website for teachers, parents and other people who work with or care for children. It provides information about resiliency and how to foster it in children. The website includes useful sections such as what schools can do and what parents can do to foster resilience in children.
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| Recent news and events....
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- Beyond Blue, the national depression initiative, has recently launched their new website for young people experiencing depression and anxiety. Youth Beyond Blue has information and resources available for professionals, young people and parents and carers. One of the factsheets available for young people on the site is Dealing with Loss and Grief. It includes suggestions for young people experiencing loss and grief and talks about ways young people can work through their grief.
- Professor Alexander McFarlane is an Australian Psychiatry Professor who has researched the traumatic effects of the Ash Wednesday bushfires and post – traumatic stress disorder. On 17th May he spoke with The Sunday Age about childrens response to the Victorian bushfires. The article “Children to bear fire anguish 20 years from now” can be viewed by clicking here. You can also listen to Professor McFarlane speak to ACATLGN about the Ash Wednesday bushfires by linking through to our Speaker Series page.
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| Upcoming events....
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- The
Australian
Center for Grief and Bereavement has invited Dr John R Jordan, from the USA , for an International Educator Tour. Dr Jordan will be holding workshops in Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane and
Adelaide from 23rd July to 7th August 2009. Dr Jordans workshops will focus on 21st Century Approaches to Grief Counselling and Therapy as well as Traumatic Loss: Bereavement after sudden, unexpected and violent death. Click here for further information about this training.
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