NOTE: The information below was compiled by Dr. Robin Gurwitch, PCIT International Global Trainer, and her colleagues at The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN). 

International wars and conflict heighten our sense of danger and may cause worry about what will happen in the days and weeks ahead. Those with families in the region may be concerned about the safety of their loved ones as well as with how their children may be impacted in their own communities. Some may be hearing about the death of their loved ones or finding out that they are missing or in direct danger. Others have seen the disturbing images and videos online or when watching the news. Many may experience additional pain, heartbreak, feelings of disbelief, anxiety, and outrage.

The NCTSN has resources to help parents and caregivers talk about the current situation with their children, including ways to support them and ways to support others who may be impacted. They also have resources for those who have loved ones who were killed or injured by the conflict, those who have a family member involved in the conflict and those who may be in danger. Individuals with roots in regions at war and experiencing ongoing conflict often worry about their children's exposure to escalating verbal aggression, hate crimes, or threats at school or in their communities. The NCTSN has resources to help adults talk with children if they experience hate or verbal aggression and to explain why additional safety measures might be in place at religious institutions or schools. Finally, we recognize that many professionals who provide PCIT to children and families are also parents and caregivers who may also be personally impacted by these events. Check in with your colleagues, discuss ways to support them, and provide them space to reflect on how these events have impacted them without judgement.

General Child Trauma Resources

·  Talking to Children about War
·  Age-Related Reactions to a Traumatic Event
·  Assisting Parents/Caregivers in Coping with Collective Trauma
·  Talking to Children: When Scary Things Happen
·  Talking to Teens: When Scary Things Happen
·  Creating Supportive Environments: When Scary Things Happen
·  Psychological First Aid for Displaced Children and Families
·  Traumatic Separation and Refugee and Immigrant Children: Tips for Current Caregivers
·  After a Crisis: Helping Young Children Heal
·  Understanding Refugee Trauma: For School Personnel, For Mental Health Professionals, and For Primary Care Providers
·  Coping in Hard Times: Fact Sheet for Parents, Youth, and School Personnel
·  Helping Youth after Community Trauma: Tip for Educators
·  Helping Children with Traumatic Grief: Young Children, School-Age Children, and Teens
·  Pause-Reset-Nourish (PRN) to Promote Wellbeing (for providers)
 
Psychological First Aid

The NCTSN also has resources for responders on Psychological First Aid (PFA). PFA is an early intervention to support children, adolescents, adults, and families impacted by these types of events. PFA Mobile and the PFA Wallet Card provide a quick reminder of the core actions. The PFA online training course is also available on the NCTSN Learning Center. PFA Handouts include:

 
Military and Veteran Family Resources

·  Working Effectively with Military Families: 10 Key Concepts All Providers Should Know
·  Understanding Child Trauma & Resilience: For Military Parents and Caregivers
·  Traumatic Grief for Military Children: Information for Families
·  Honoring Our Babies and Toddlers: Supporting Young Children Affected by a Military Parent’s Deployment,
​            Injury, or Death (Zero to Three)
·  Sesame Street for Military Families (website)
·  Community Support for Military Children and Families Throughout the Deployment Cycle (Center for Study
            of Traumatic Stress, CSTS)
·  Strengthening Military Families to Support Children’s Well-Being (CSTS)
·  Helping Children Cope During Deployment (CSTS)

Additional Helpline Resources

· SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline – call or text 1-800-985-5990 (for Spanish, press “2”) to be connected to
             a trained counselor 24/7/365.
· Military OneSource – call 1-800-342-9647 for eligible DOD service members and their families.
· Veterans Crisis Line – call 1-800-273-8255, press “1” or text 838255 for all service members.
·  PTSD Consultation Program – for providers who treat Veterans. Ask a question by calling 866-948-7880 or
​              emailing [email protected]. 
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For those that are needing technical assistance or additional resources, please don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Greg Leskin [email protected] for Military and Veteran Family resource questions and Dr. Melissa Brymer at [email protected] for all other questions.