Q&A on the Mental Health Impacts of Natural Disasters on Children

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The wildfires in Los Angeles are devastating. As I’m writing this, at least 10,000 homes have been lost to the fires with over 13 million California residents affected by fires, ash, and smoke. 

While the physical devastation is most apparent within the first days and weeks, the mental and emotional toll can extend far beyond then. During catastrophic events like these fires, parents and caregivers are supporting children at the same time they need support and making it hard to know what to do, and what to prioritize. 

I’ve answered a few of the most common questions parents have in the wake of natural disasters.

Q&A with Child Psychiatrist Dr. Helen Egger

Q: My family isn’t directly affected by the fires but my children are asking me questions. How do I communicate with them about natural disasters?

Children’s developmental stage and age will impact what they understand and how you should communicate with them. If your child is feeling anxious about what they’re seeing or hearing about, here are some tips for talking with children at different ages:

Preschoolers and School-age Children:

• Keep it simple: Explain natural disasters in basic terms. For example, "Sometimes storms happen, and they can make things loud and scary. But we are safe inside."
• Reassure them: Emphasize safety and the steps being taken to protect them even if this isn’t happening directly in your community. “This isn’t happening here, but if it did, we have a safe place to go if there’s a storm, and we’ll be with you the whole time.”
• Acknowledge feelings: If they're scared, validate their emotions. “It’s okay to be scared when we see things like this happening, but we’re safe.”

Adolescents:

• Lead with empathy: Adolescents can experience significant distress witnessing a disaster. Acknowledge their feelings of fear, helplessness, or anxiety. Ground the conversation around the theme of we’re in this together and I’m feeling similarly.
• Encourage action and involvement: Adolescents may feel empowered by taking part in relief efforts, whether by fundraising or even volunteering. Encouraging them to get involved can help them feel like they are making a positive impact and can be really beneficial when feeling powerless.

Q: How do I balance staying informed and ensuring my children aren’t overwhelmed? 

Limit young children’s exposure to media and adult conversations as much as possible. Be thoughtful about having the TV on “in the background” because the cumulative effect of seeing the fires and devastation over and over can be upsetting for young (and older) children. As you know, children are always listening and misinterpreting information they see or adult conversations about natural disasters and climate change. If your child wants to talk about the fires, follow their lead so that your child can shape how much information they want or can manage.

For older children, monitor their social media use and exposure. It is critical to discuss with your older child how the news and media present certain events for the sake of viewership and clicks. This perspective will help your child make sense of what they are  seeing about the fire. Provide breaks from screens and engage in other activities with your child.

Q: What’s the most important thing I can do as a parent for my child’s mental wellbeing?

Here are some tips for parents about how to support their child’s mental wellbeing and health.: 

1. Practice Open Communication: Encourage your children to express their feelings and concerns. Listen actively and validate their emotions, letting them know that it’s okay to feel scared or anxious even if they’re not being directly affected. One way to have developmentally appropriate conversations with your kids is to let them take the lead with questions and concerns. 
2. Create a Safe Space: The most important thing is that children feel safe and secure in their relationship with you which enables children and families to manage external challenges. 
3. Encourage Healthy Routines: Maintain regular routines for meals, sleep, and activities. Routines can help provide a sense of normalcy during chaotic times.
4. Practice Breathing Exercises: Teach your children simple breathing exercises or mindfulness activities to help them manage stress and anxiety.
5. Seek Professional Help if Needed: If your child is showing signs of extreme anxiety or distress, consider seeking help from your pediatrician or a mental health professional.
6. Be a Role Model: While we cannot control what is happening outside of us, we can work to manage our own feelings and how we interact with our children. Children learn how to react by mirroring how adults are reacting. Children learn to manage their emotions from observing their caregivers manage their emotions. It can be hard for parents to manage their emotions during difficult times. It is important to know that every parent struggles to manage their emotions, particularly during stressful and traumatic experiences. Being a role model does not mean “being perfect” but rather trying. At our most difficult moments, parents should remember that children are very resilient! Whatever is happening it is most important for your child to feel safe and secure in your relationship with you. This feeling of safety and security will help your child manage hard times.
7. Take Care of Yourself: During times like this, parents should try to take care of themselves, not just their children. Whether it’s carving time out of your day for exercise, practicing deep breathing, or just taking a couple of minutes to yourself, self-care is the best way to reground and refocus. 

Q: How do I recognize signs of traumatic stress in my child?

Traumatic stress is a general term for a range of reactions to a traumatic event, such as anxiety, depression, or behavioral dysregulation.

Signs of traumatic stress vary depending on the developmental age of your child. Here are some signs of traumatic stress to look out for at different ages.

Preschoolers:

• Might show signs of traumatic stress through play, re-enacting the traumatic event repeatedly
• May struggle with separation anxiety and cling to caregivers more than usual
• Can exhibit developmental regressions, such as bed-wetting or thumb-sucking

School-age Children:

• Could have trouble concentrating in school and show a decline in academic performance
• Can become more irritable and have outbursts of anger
• Often express their distress through physical complaints, like headaches or stomachaches

Adolescents:

• Are more likely to talk about their experiences but may do so in a blunt or inappropriate manner
• Can engage in risky behaviors including substance abuse as a way to cope with their emotions
• Might experience intense feelings of guilt or shame related to the traumatic event

Children who experience traumatic stress may be at increased risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and/or an anxiety disorder. It’s important to note that even after experiencing a traumatic event, the likelihood of developing PTSD isn’t as high as you may think. Of children and teens who have had a trauma, 3% to 15% of girls and 1% to 6% of boys develop PTSD. Rates of PTSD are higher for certain types of trauma survivors.

The National Child Traumatic Network is a wonderful resource for families experiencing trauma and recovering from trauma. 

If your child is experiencing traumatic stress or other mental health symptoms, consider seeking help from a mental health professional.

Little Otter provides a whole family approach to mental health care including therapy, psychiatry, and parent coaching. Our evidence-based model ensures that children 0-18, parents, couples and trying or expecting parents receive high-quality mental health care.

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We have additional insurance partnerships that may provide referrals directly. Check with your insurance provider to see if you are eligible for coverage.

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