Navigating the tumultuous waters of today's geopolitical landscape can be overwhelming for adults, let alone children. In her insightful newsletter, “What a trauma therapist would say to children about war,” Psychotherapist, Beth Tyson, of the “Creating Trauma-Informed Organizations,” offers valuable guidance on helping children cope with the fear and anxiety stemming from global conflicts.
With the unpleasant and unceasing churn of 24-hour news cycles and the omnipresence of social media, children are particularly susceptible to negative emotional contagions, amplifying their fears and anxieties. It's imperative to recognize that along with valuable information, news outlets and social platforms can also propagate misinformation and sensationalism, exacerbating emotional distress.
Engaging children in conversations about the reliability of news sources and the impact of sensationalized content on social media can foster critical thinking and resilience. As a parent of teenagers myself, I make it a point to regularly discuss current events with my 16 and 17-year-old daughters. Drawing from my training with the Community Resilience Initiative, I prioritize creating an environment of safety and connection, ensuring that our discussions provide a space for them to express their fears, anxieties, and curiosities.
Whether around the dinner table or in the classroom, establishing dedicated times for open dialogue can offer children a sense of security and belonging. By consistently fostering an environment of safety and connection, we can support children through periods of fear and anxiety, empowering them to navigate the complexities of our world with resilience and understanding.
Mahalo,
Danny
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