Tools to help traumatized children

The following links provide resources to help psychologists, teachers, parents and others deal effectively with crises that affect children, including information on evidence-based practices and model curricula.

• The APA Presidential Task Force on PTSD and Trauma in Children and Adolescents produced a number of tools for mental health professionals and policymakers that identify "what we know" and "what we need to know" regarding the development and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder in youth. The resources present current knowledge and information, as well critical gaps in knowledge, about this important area: Read the report online.

• The National Association of School Psychologists' "PREPaRE" curriculum guides teachers and school counselors in handling crises that affect school children.

• Researchers at the Rand Corporation and the Los Angeles Unified School District have developed a skills-based group intervention called Cognitive Behavioral Interventions for Trauma in Schools, aimed at relieving symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and general anxiety in children exposed to trauma. It is in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs.

• The National Child Traumatic Stress Network provides resources for mental health and school personnel to help them prepare for and intervene in the face of crises, including evidence-based treatments for schools and a psychological first aid protocol that can be adapted for schools. 

• The government website provides resources to help people prepare for and deal with any natural or man-made crisis, including information and kits tailored for families, military personnel, older Americans, people with disabilities and pet owners.

• The National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement provides information for school systems to support children in times of crisis and loss, including a teacher training module for understanding and supporting children after a death. Visit National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement.

• A free curriculum guide and related CD-ROM on childhood traumatic grief are available from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration at . Also visit CTG for a free Web-based learning course on using trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy for childhood traumatic grief.

• The American Red Cross is piloting a new course, "Coping in today's world: Psychological first aid and resilience for families, friends and neighbors," aimed at helping families in times of stress and building resilience. Also available is a course designed specifically for military families, "Coping with deployments: psychological first aid for military families." For more information, contact your local Red Cross chapter. In addition, the American Red Cross provides extensive information about disaster preparedness and response.

• "Listen, Protect, and Connect" is a series of psychological first aid resources to guide parents, teachers, and neighbors in helping children after a crisis. Visit Ready or UCLA Center for Public Health and Disasters in the resources/psychological first aid section.

—T. DeAngelis