Mental Health Experts Offer Tips for Talking With Children About War

National Mental Health Association
Wednesday, 19 March 2003

With America braced for war, children need to be able to express their feelings and concerns, and be assured that they are safe. The National Mental Health Association has developed tips to help adults communicate with children and lessen their sense of stress and fear.

"Children are seeing news reports and hearing people around them talk about the war and terrorist threats here at home," said Michael Faenza, president and CEO of the National Mental Health Association. "But unlike adults, children have little experience to help them put all this information into perspective."

Things to remember with all children:

• Acknowledge children's worries and uncertainties about war. Reassure them that their feelings are normal.


• Children's reactions to the war may be heavily influenced by your own. Your reactions are key in helping children decide whether the world is a safe or scary place.


• Children need comforting and frequent reassurance that they're safe – make sure you give it to them.


• Get children involved in activities that help them explore their feelings, such as classroom discussions, informal play, community service projects, and writing, music, art or drama projects.


• Maintain family routines and keep the lines of communication open.


• Create a family plan to follow in the event of an emergency.

If you are worried about a child's reaction, or have ongoing concerns about his or her behavior or emotions, contact your pediatrician or a mental health professional at school or local mental health center.
NMHA offers tips for talking about war with kids of all age groups. Copies of NMHA's fact sheets on helping adults and children cope with terrorism, violence and fear are available online or by calling NMHA's Resource Center at 800-969-NMHA (6642). In addition, NMHA has nationally recognized mental health experts available for interviews on coping with crisis and related issues.

The National Mental Health Association is the country's oldest and largest nonprofit organization addressing all aspects of mental health and mental illness. With more than 340 affiliates nationwide, NMHA works to improve the mental health of all Americans through advocacy, education, research and service.

For more information, or to contact National Mental Health Association, see their website at: www.nmha.org