bushfires in australia and children’s anxiety
Shared from ‘Hey Sigmund - Karen Young’ and the HNC Bushfire response
The fires in Australia are devastating, and the emotional fallout will be vast. The ripple of this will also reach the hearts, minds and spirits of kids and teens who weren’t directly involved. As the important adult in the life of any child you have a profound capacity to give them what they need to steady their world again.
With such wide coverage of the fires, it is likely that most children are aware of what’s happening - that other children like them and families like theirs are hurting, scared, grieving, have lost their loved people, pets, or homes.
This taps into their common humanity, and it is very normal for them to start thinking, what if that was me, or my mum or dad or grandma or grandad or home? If this could happen to them, it could happen to me. .
When their fears are really big, such as the death of a parent, being alone in the world, or losing everything, children might put this into something else. .
This can also happen because they can’t always articulate the fear. Emotional ‘experiences’ don’t lay in the brain as words, they lay down as images and sensory experiences. This is why smells and sounds can trigger anxiety, even if they aren’t connected to a scary experience. The ‘experiences’ also don’t need to be theirs. Hearing ‘about’ is enough.
The content of the fear might seem irrational but the feeling will be valid. Think of it as the feelings being the part that needs you. Their anxiety, sadness, anger (which happens to hold down other more vulnerable emotions) needs to be seen, held, contained and soothed, so they can feel safe again - and you have the most wonderful power to make that happen.
‘I can see how scared you are. There’s some scary things happening in the world at the moment, but my darling, you are safe. I promise. You are so safe.’
If they have been through the trauma, the truth is that they have been through something so awful, and they are safe, ‘We have been through something terrible and it’s been really scary. We are going to get through this. It’s okay to feel scared or sad or angry. Whatever you feel is so okay, and I’m here and I love you and we are safe. We can get through anything together.’
Bushfires can affect everyone in the community, even if you are not directly dealing with loss of property or possessions. There are things you can do to take care of yourself and your mental health.
Self Care (HNC Bushfire response)
We encourage people to reach out for the support and take these simple steps to look after their mental health:
Spend time with family and friends.
Try to get back into a routine as soon as possible, but don’t push yourself too hard.
Take time out, but don’t isolate yourself.
Accept help and support when it is offered.
If you require immediate support contact:
24hr Mental Health Line — 1800 011 511
Lifeline — 13 11 14
Beyond Blue — 1300 22 4636
Kids Helpline — 1800 551 800