Supporting children’s mental health through disasters

This course was designed for those in support roles who may interact with infants, children and families during or after a disaster. It is for:

• community recovery, outreach and psychosocial support workers

• local government and community development staff

• community services and social services staff

• community members and volunteers

• community group leaders, sports coaches and local associations

• health, social and community services professionals who are new to the disaster space, volunteering or supporting their own community.

This is a foundation course that supports you to notice, support and connect. It does not train you to assess, diagnose, monitor or provide therapy.

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• describe what mental health means for infants and children, and the relationships, experiences and environments that shape it

• explain how disasters can affect children’s mental health and development, and understand the protective factors that support infant and child mental health

• recognise common responses to disasters at different ages, and know the signs that a child or family may need extra support

• apply child-centred and family-focused actions, using principles such as the five elements of psychological first aid, to support children, families and your own wellbeing during and after a disaster

• act within your role by supporting children and families, connecting them with further help when needed.

It’s estimated that this course will take you approximately 1.5 hours to complete, including reading material and watching videos.

You can undertake the course across multiple sessions at your own pace. The last screen you visit before logging off will be saved and you will have the option of returning to that screen when you next log in.

Some content may reflect your own experiences of disaster. You may have lived through the same events as the children and families you support. Take breaks (even if you don’t feel you need one), notice your emotional responses during and after the course, and avoid completing it in one sitting. Seek support in your setting through supervision.

If you need support at any time, speak with a trusted friend, family member, supervisor or health professional, or contact Lifeline 13 11 14, Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636, SANE Australia 1800 187 263, Medicare Mental Health 1800 595 212, or the National Emergency Worker Support Service.

Children: A person aged 0–12 years.

Young people: A person aged 13–17 years. The terms ‘teenager’ and ‘young person’ may also be used to describe an adolescent person.

Parents: For the purposes of this course, the term ‘parent’ encompasses the biological and adoptive parents of a child as well as caregivers who have chosen to take up a primary or shared responsibility in raising that child.

Disaster: A serious disruption of the functioning of a community or a society at any scale due to hazardous events (such as those listed under the definition of hazard) interacting with conditions of exposure, vulnerability and capacity, leading to human, material, economic and/or environmental losses and impacts.³

Disasters cause significant disruption, destruction and harm to individuals, communities and/or the environment, often resulting in widespread suffering, loss of life, property damage and the disruption of normal functioning.

Social and emotional wellbeing: Refers to the way a person thinks and feels about themselves and others. It incorporates behavioural and emotional strengths and is a facet of child development.⁴

In broad terms, social and emotional wellbeing is the foundation for physical and mental health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is a holistic concept which results from a network of relationships between individuals, family, Kin and Community. It also recognises the importance of connection to Country, culture, spirituality and ancestry, and how these affect the individual.⁵

Social and emotional wellbeing is also used by some people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, who may have differing concepts of mental health and mental illness.⁶

Watch the following video (2 minutes, 7 seconds) for a quick guide on how to navigate Emerging Minds Learning courses.

In order to protect the privacy of children and families who have been through the stressful and distressing experience of a natural disaster, Emerging Minds used image creation software to recreate the authentic disaster settings featured in some videos.