With bushfires raging throughout the east coast of Australia there has been little else anyone has spoken about, posted on social media or watched on TV and our children are terrified! There has been an increase in PTSD and anxiety in children relating to environmental changes. So how can you help?

Explain as much as you feel they will understand. Children are often left out in the cold when it comes to the facts so they get little bits and pieces of information which is unhelpful. Knowing what is going on can alleviate uncertainty and anxiety.

Acknowledge their feelings. Allow them to express how they feel, perhaps for younger children they may find it easier to draw their feelings. Then validate their feelings, “it’s ok to be sad” you can share that you may also be sad about the fires too etc.

Restrict TV and social media. The images are absolutely devastating not to mention terrifying! Adults are crying when viewing them. Many children I see with phobias and PTSD will talk about an event which they saw on TV which didn’t actually happen to them but was enough to cause debilitating fear and trauma.

Be mindful of your conversations with others. I have heard parents mentioning it was like Armagedeon, it’s only going to get worse, it’s the end of the world….little ears are listening, they will believe it is the end of the world if this is what you are saying.

Be solution focused. Have a brainstorming session with your child and come up with ways you can help people and animals affected. Perhaps by making little care packages for firefighters, collecting blankets for animals, donating pocket money to registered charities such as the Red Cross. This way your child feels they are contributing to the solution and is a valuable member of the community.