Emergencies and Trauma
Trauma Resources
Psychologists can provide a vital role in the community by reinforcing important messages about the impact of trauma and building resilience:
- Strong feelings and trauma responses are normal
- Trauma affects everyone differently and there is no “right way” to deal with trauma
- Encourage connection over isolation
- Encourage and enable support/help seeking
- Encourage use of existing support mechanisms, including spiritual and cultural practices
- Children learn about managing feelings, building resilience and responses to trauma from those around them
Support agencies/ available counselling
Phone support through government funded Telehealth services including:
Home Care Medical (Auckland Help Line)
Resources on Trauma
Note: there is a wealth of information available relating to trauma – this is not an exhaustive list however below are some examples of well evidenced information
For parents affected by Cyclone Gabrielle- Clinical psychologist Catherine Gallagher
MOH: Coping after a traumatic event
MOH: Mental health advice for coping after a traumatic event
MOH: Advice on supporting your kids after a traumatic event
MOH: Helping children deal with trauma
MOH: Tips for parents and educators: Supporting children and young people (PDF)
Info Sheet: Coping after a serious event – from Le Va
Tips for talking with and helping children and young people cope after community violence – Guidelines for parents, caregivers and teachers – from the APS
From the Muslim Wellness Foundation: COPING WITH COMMUNITY TRAUMA
Waitemata DHB: Resources for working with the Muslim community
British Red Cross: https://www.redcross.org.uk/get-involved/teaching-resources/talking-with-children-about-a-major-emergency
National Association of School Psychologists: Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers
Heads Up CIO: Package For Emergency Events In Schools and Communities
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network – Mass violence resources
Creating stronger communities: Insights from psychological science – from the APS
From the Journal of Traumatic Stress, the issue Trauma in the Context of Mass Shootings, is available online through the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies
Framework for Psychosocial Support in Emergencies – for those involved in planning, coordinating and delivering psychosocial interventions and mental health treatments in an emergency
The Parenting Place: How to talk to your kids about: Trauma
Oranga Tamariki: Talking about traumatic events
Tragic events and community violence
Coping following community violence– Strategies for coping following community violence- from the APS
Public Health Matters Blog: Helping Children Cope With a Disaster
Managing your distress in the aftermath of a shooting – from the APA
When disasters and emergencies are caused by community violence– Guidelines for organisations for
providing psychosocial support following community violence- from the APS
Tools for communicating about violence, peace and social justice – from the APS
Managing Stress in an Emergency
New Zealand Red Cross – disaster management
Mental health advice for coping after a traumatic event
Tips for recovering from traumatic events
Trauma – from the APS
Taking Care of your Emotional Health after a Disaster (PDF)
Global Disasters: Helping Children Cope (PDF)
Grief Guide – for children (PDF)
Responding to Natural Disasters: Helping Children and Families – Information for School Crisis Teams (PDF)
Post traumatic stress disorder after the Haitian earthquake (KevinMD.com – blog)
