News Release 9-10-05
What About The Children and Their Post-Trauma Grief?
Among the many thousands of evacuees from New Orleans, Biloxi, Gulfport and the other towns devastated by hurricane winds and floodwaters are many children old enough to fully sense the threat to survival and the enduring loss of what once was the life they had as they new it: home routines, neighborhood friends, streets, stores, school and church communities. Families have been moved to other cities in other states and many do not plan to return to their pre-storm home areas. Young children grieve differently than adults and this often presents a challenge to parents, family and friends. In his new book, “Helping Grieving People–When Tears Are Not Enough,” grief psychologist Dr. J. Shep Jeffreys discusses the differences and similarities of children’s and adult grief.
He also discusses the complications due to the potential for many survivors to show signs of post-traumatic stress. These include extreme clingy behavior for older children, continued nightmares, prolonged expressions of fear of harm and death, easily startled and even disorientation, depression and withdrawal. Children who have reached pre-teen age and older grieve more like adults do. Children usually take breaks from grieving and play in-between. Sometimes they delay their grieving for some later time. They need to know that it is ok to cry,
to be angry and have fears. Both adults and children need continued, caring support. Information on children’s needs and grieving styles can be obtained on griefcareprovider.com and on the audio programs found on www.griefcast.com.