Tragic events affect not only adults, but also children, who often do not have sufficient tools to process strong emotions. After the initial shock, it is important to provide a safe space for expressing feelings and encourage open communication. This was stated for TASR by the director of the civic association (OZ) IPčko and psychologist Marek Madro.
If children show interest or concern, it is appropriate to talk to them about tragedies, but sensitively. “However, the information should be adapted to their age and emotional maturity. They should not be overwhelmed with details, but rather give them space for questions. If the child perceives the situation and feels uncertainty or fear, ignoring the topic will not help him. On the contrary, it can lead to imagining scenarios that can be even scarier. Some children will want to speak right away, others after a few days or weeks. The important thing is to be present and available when they are ready,” explained Madro.
According to him, everyone reacts differently to a tragic event, but some warning signs may indicate that a child or young person is having a hard time processing the situation. “The child refuses to go to school or complains of, for example, abdominal pain, headaches or other somatic symptoms, or the child is quieter, more irritable, often broods, or has problems with concentration. There may also be problems with falling asleep or eating habits. Excessive attachment to parents, teachers or friends may also appear. Children who are unsure may ask questions about whether this can also happen with them at school and if they are safe,” Madro said.
If these symptoms persist for more than a few weeks or worsen, he says, it is advisable to seek help from a school psychologist or mental health professional. Regarding aggression in children and young people, according to Madro, it is natural for them to feel angry, angry or frustrated in difficult situations. “However, the problem arises when these emotions are not vented in a healthy way and start to manifest as long-term aggression. Parents and teachers should notice, for example, the child’s reactions – outbursts of anger and pettiness – he reacts inappropriately to criticism or gets into conflicts more often. If the child withdraws from peers, stops communicating with the family and spends a lot of time alone, this may be a warning signal,” the psychologist emphasized.
Madro advises that if a child repeatedly talks about the fact that “nothing makes sense”, “we need revenge” or “the world is bad”, it is necessary to solve the situation and not ignore such statements. “It is important to allow children to express their emotions in a healthy way, to offer them a safe space to express their concerns. Sometimes it is enough for a child to know that someone is listening and takes him seriously. If there are strong manifestations of frustration, isolation or violent behavior, it is important to contact the experts,” Madro dom.
