Grief & Trauma
Grief at Christmas can feel overwhelming. While the festive season is often filled with joy, for those grieving, it can bring sadness, stress, and even isolation. Remember, grief is a normal response to loss, and there’s no right or wrong way to experience it. Here are some practical tips to…
Community leaders play a vital role in helping families prepare, respond and recover from disasters. Children, especially infants and very young ones, are particularly vulnerable during disasters as this is a critical time in their physical, emotional and cognitive development. Their early experiences, including any cumulative adversity, shape how they…
When disasters like floods, fires, droughts, or other community tragedies happen, children feel the impact deeply. Here’s how you can help kids before, during and after disasters to feel safe, connected and understood. Connection is protection: Be physically and emotionally available, warm, and responsive—your relationship is the most powerful buffer…
Going through a disaster takes an emotional and physical toll. In the days, weeks, and even months afterwards, you might find yourself running on adrenaline—dealing with the practical side of things, helping others, and trying to get life back on track. But stress doesn’t just disappear once the initial crisis…
Natural disasters and tragic events can be unsettling for everyone, especially babies and young children. After a disaster, you might notice your child: These are normal reactions to stress, and with reassurance and stability, your child will begin to feel safe again. Ways you can help your child cope after…
Struggling after a disaster is more common than you might think. Big events like floods, fires or storms can affect everyone in different ways—even people in the same family. It’s completely natural to feel shaken, emotional, or worn out afterwards. Often, these feelings ease over time. But sometimes they hang…
When tragedy happens in a small community, the impact is often felt by many, and there is both an individual and shared sense of loss and grief. Grief is a journey, and it can be helpful to know that there is no one way to grieve – it looks different…
Grief is something we all experience – and not just when someone we know dies. Grief is an emotion our kids and teens can experience when change and life transitions happen – maybe moving somewhere new, transitioning into high school, a sibling going to boarding school, friends moving away, or…