During the pandemic, many people lost family and friends. Quite a number of children became orphans after losing one or both parents. Experiencing tragedies like this or witnessing critical incidents can leave a psychological scar in kids. How can we help them cope?
What is childhood trauma?
Childhood trauma happens when a child experiences or witnesses events that are perceived to threaten injury, death, or the physical integrity of self or others, and also cause horror, terror, or helplessness at the time they occur. These events are also referred to as adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Losing a loved one or being hospitalised due to the pandemic may also be considered as ACEs.
Potential causes of childhood trauma:
Look out for these signs of distress in children:
How can we help?
After aversive incidents, pay attention to signs of distress in children and get them professional help. Unaddressed trauma and prolonged stress can lead to long-term impacts, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), mental and physical health problems, as well as difficulties in overall development, learning and relationships.
Where to get help?
Scan this QR code for local resources or visit this link: https://mmha.org.my/find-help
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