“Children look to their adult
caregivers to ascertain how to
respond to specific stressors/
trauma,” she said. “If adults are able
to model healthy coping techniques
and positive communication
within a structured, nurturing
environment, children will become
more resilient.”
Because an adult caregiver plays
such a vital role, West added,
caregivers need to be sure to take
care of themselves.
“It is totally ok to turn off the
news,” West said. “In fact, we all
need to limit social media intake
during this time. It can be so
overwhelming. Caregivers need
to make sure that they are eating
and sleeping well, exercising, and
staying connected (even virtually)
with others. When caregivers are
functioning well, they are more in
tune to their children’s needs.”
It is also important for caregivers
to know and understand potential
signs of emotional struggle or
poor coping in their child. During
stressful times like this, West said,
it’s not uncommon to see children
struggle with their emotions.
However, some signs and symptoms
that may constitute assistance/
guidance from a mental health
professional include: outbursts or
extreme irritability, out of control
behaviors, periods of intense
sadness and/or worry, withdrawing
from others/avoiding others,
significant change in mood and/or
behaviors, hurting self or talking
about hurting self, preoccupation
with death and dying, suicidal
ideations or attempts, changes
in eating/sleeping habits, loss
of weight, changes in school
performance, and difficulty
concentrating.
“Another important sign that
I notice specifically in children
who are experiencing significant
anxiety is an increase in somatic
complaints such as headaches
and stomachaches,” West said.
“Children often have difficulty
verbalizing their emotions. Instead,
they will report that their ‘tummy
M ay 2020
hurts’ when they are struggling
emotionally.”
Should caregivers become
worried about their child (or
themselves), they are encouraged to
seek guidance from any local mental
health agency. Many like Phoenix
have transitioned to telehealth
services in order to continue
serving the community.
“Telehealth allows us to provide
mental health therapy and case
management services while keeping
our community safe by adhering to
social distancing guidelines,” West
said.
Before professional help is
needed, there are many things that
families can do together to help
their child with healthy coping and
overall functioning. It is important
for families to create new routines
during this time. Children thrive
in structured environments. Thus,
caregivers can create a new schedule
(that fits their family’s specific
needs) with regular, consistent times
for getting up, going to bed, meals,
school, exercise, playtime.
“I have found that providing
children with lots of opportunities
to play (especially outdoors) helps
children with regulation and coping,”
West said. “Children learn, process,
and heal through the use of play.
Physical play and exercise provide a
healthy outlet for energetic kiddos.
It is also super beneficial for the
caregiver too.”
West recommends parents organize
nature scavenger hunts outdoors
or even in their own homes (if it is
raining).
“I had one family organize games
like the television show American
Ninja Warrior and America’s Got
Talent,” she said. “Others have found
creative ways to reduce boredom
such as having a specific ‘theme’ for
each day of the week (Superhero
Day, Hawaiian Day, Hat Day). Making
crafts and art (painting pictures or
rocks, making mandalas, drawing)
can also be helpful and therapeutic at
the same time. It is amazing what one
can create with just a piece of paper
and a box of crayons. Our Phoenix
Preferred Care Facebook site has
several tips and resources that might
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