Psychosocial Issues for Children and Adolescents in Disasters

DHHS Publication No. ADM86-1070R (Revised). 2nd edition. Edited by: Dina Nordboe. Revised edition of "Manual for Child Health Workers in Major Disasters." Provides information and guidance for individuals concerned with the mental health needs of children who experience major disasters.

This manual is a second edition and is intended to reaffirm and extend the concepts expressed in the first edition written by Norman L. Farberow, Ph.D., and Norma S. Gordon, Ph.D., and published in 1981 under the title Manual for Child Health Workers in Disasters. Since 1981, the nation has experienced many major natural disasters, and several devastating human-caused disasters. In all cases, these events deeply affected children. The collective experience of individuals involved in disaster work over two decades has repeatedly demonstrated the special vulnerability of children to the impact of traumatic events and the importance of providing crisis counseling and recovery assistance within the context of a child's special world. Included in this original volume are several substantive additions: an extensive review of professional literature, materials developed through various Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) funded Crisis Counseling Program grants and contracts, and personal communications with numerous crisis counseling and outreach workers.

Table of Contents:

Foreword................................................................................... v

Acknowledgments..................................................................... vii

Introduction............................................................................... ix

Chapter 1: The World of Childhood and the Developing Child .... 1

Theories of Child Development.......................................................................... 1

Chapter 2: Reactions of Children to Disasters............................. 9

Normal Reactions to Disaster Induced Stress.................................................... 9

Typical Reactions of Children............................................................................. 12

Chapter 3: Helping the Child and Family .................................... 19

General Steps in the Helping Process ................................................................ 20

The Role of the Family ....................................................................................... 22

Common Feelings and Behaviors....................................................................... 23

Case Examples................................................................................................... 25

Chapter 4: Guidelines for Caregivers, Mental Health and

Human Service Workers............................................................. 29

Providing Disaster Mental Health Services........................................................ 29

Supervision of Human Service Workers............................................................. 30

Providing Mental Health Training...................................................................... 31

Systems Consultation......................................................................................... 31

Assisting Crisis Counseling Staff to Manage Stress........................................... 32

Conclusion ......................................................................................................... 32

References and Resources.......................................................... 35

Appendix A: Agency Assistance in Disasters.............................. 39

Appendix B: Sources for Additional Information......................... 43

This manual provides information and guidance for individuals concerned with the mental health needs of children who experience major disasters. This background, training, and experience will vary and may include physical and mental health professionals, professional and paraprofessional social service personnel, school and daycare personnel, clergy, volunteers, and parents.

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