Social Service Specialist Damla Yeşilçimen and Psychologist Yağmur Cumert from Gaziemir Municipality emphasized that after the earthquake that stifled Turkey, children should be kept away from images of the event, news programs and speaking environments that are not appropriate for their age.
Stating that adults and children are frequently exposed to the devastating effects of the earthquake since Turkey is a country located in an earthquake zone, Social Worker Damla Yeşilçimen emphasized that the earthquake can cause us to react differently than normal, as it creates a break in our daily life.
Yeşilçimen said, “Experiencing the event directly, losing a relative, being exposed to the event can create these reactions, as well as witnessing the earthquake and its effects on media such as television can cause us to be traumatized and give the same reactions,” Yeşilçimen said, “These are normal reactions to an abnormal situation and decrease over time. expected. It is important to get social support and to share what happened with our relatives in order to cope with this situation.
In addition to reactions such as excessive fear, helplessness, fear, and inability to speak in children exposed to traumatic situations, Yeşilçimen also shows that bedwetting, insistence, asking the same questions again, dullness, absent-mindedness, outbursts of anger, irritability, rebellious behaviors, excessive interest in war and gun games, restlessness, He also emphasized that it can cause reactions such as the need to constantly move, remembering the event and things related to the event, constantly remembering the event, nausea, stomachache and headache, frequent toileting, loss of appetite, not wanting to go to school, and a decrease in school success.
“A calm and reassuring attitude should be followed”
Specialist Psychologist Yağmur Cumert said, “The first condition of helping children who are exposed to such situations is to be as calm, reassuring and consistent as you can,” and emphasized that children need their families more than ever. Emphasizing that children should be kept away from images of the event, news programs and speaking environments that are not appropriate for their age, Cumert warned:
“Children’s debris etc. be careful not to watch the images as much as possible. It is important for children who can use social media actively to know that they should stay away from misleading, inaccurate and frightening information on social media during this period. The most basic need of your children is to feel that they and you are safe. Have conversations that emphasize that something bad happened but that you are okay and safe now. Accept the feelings such as fear, anger, helplessness, anxiety caused by the event, encourage them to express their feelings, show that you understand them and do not avoid contacting them. Don’t force them if they don’t want to tell. Let them cry and be afraid and angry.”
Go back to your daily life
Emphasizing that children should be supported to tell what they heard, seen and experienced during and after the incident, Expert Psychologist Cumert said, “Support children to re-establish their social relations and strengthen their interests. Keep in mind that it is in their best interest to give your children age-appropriate tasks and responsibilities that they can do. Make an effort to get family members back to their roles and responsibilities in daily life as soon as possible. Work with your child on possible disasters and emergencies (such as making an earthquake plan, preparing an earthquake bag, memorizing his own home address, numbers to call in a fire, and rules of behavior).
Source: (BYZHA) – Beyaz News Agency
