Effect of Disasters on Mental Health for Children and Adolescents

Category: Psychological Disorders

This course covers the following topics: 

  • Risk Factors
  • Psychological First Aid for Children and Adolescents
  • What Parents Can Do to Help
  • Common Reactions of Children and Adolescents to Traumatic Stress
  • Pathological Reactions of Children and Adolescents to Traumatic Stress
  • Treatment Options

Throughout the course you will have the opportunity to participate in a scenario-based activity, in which you will apply the knowledge you have attained.

Intended Audience

anyone who will come into professional contact with disaster victims who are children or adolescents, including DMAT, hospital workers, EMTs, primary care providers and public health workers

Learning Objectives:

After completing this course, you will be able to:

  • Recognize the risk factors involved for a child or adolescent developing mental health problems as a result of exposure to disaster
  • Recognize symptoms of acute psychological distress in children or adolescents
  • Administer ”psychological first aid” to children and adolescents to provide them with stabilization during and in the immediate aftermath of a traumatic event
  • Describe how 4 major components in the psycho-physiological response to trauma (somatic, emotional, behavioral, and cognitive) manifest themselves in pre-school children, older children, and adolescents
  • Advise parents/caregivers what they do to help prevent their child or adolescent from developing mental health problems after a traumatic event
  • Distinguish between a normal and pathological reaction to disaster trauma in children and adolescents
  • Discuss treatment options for children and adolescents who develop mental health disorders

Pre-requisites/Learning Level

No pre-requisites

Competencies addressed

Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals identified

Domain 4: Cultural Competency Skills

  • 4A5. Addresses the diversity of individuals and populations when implementing policies, programs, and services that affect the health of a community

CEUs Offered

None

Cost

Free

Modality/format

Online Self-Pace

Length

1 hour

Presenter(s) and/or Content Experts

Technical requirements:

  • Adobe Acrobat Reader 
  • Speakers or headphones

Registration requirements

Register a free account

Creation and/or update

April 2022