Üsküdar University NPİSTANBUL Hospital Specialist Clinical Psychologist Elvin Akı Konuk evaluated the right approach to children in disasters such as earthquakes.
Specialist Clinical Psychologist Elvin Akı Konuk, who noted that psychological intervention should be done at the right time and with the right content in times of disaster, said, “It is not appropriate to perform psychological intervention for children without trauma knowledge. This can hurt both the support person and the child more emotionally. For this reason, intervention and treatment should be done by specialists working with trauma.” warned.
“Basic needs should be met at the first stage”
Specialist Clinical Psychologist Elvin Akı Konuk stated that the target for children who experienced the earthquake at the first stage is to meet their most basic vital needs such as nutrition and shelter, and said, “Children become emotionally ready for recovery and stabilize only after these needs are met. Afterwards, bonding and regulating the child emotionally and recreating the sense of security should be provided.” said.
Specialist Clinical Psychologist Elvin Akı Konuk, who draws attention to the secure attachment between the child and the caregiver, said, “First of all, caregivers' own coping skills are also very important. If the child is safe, if the routine can be maintained, if there is a secure attachment between the child and the caregiver, the children will be able to overcome this trauma much more easily.” he stated.
“Cutting and holding hands are important for bonding”
Expressing that adults should be able to provide confidence towards children with a soft tone that is not sudden or loud, Elvin Akı Konuk said, “Also, there is no loud noise etc. in the environment. Protecting from sudden and violent stimuli will also help prevent children from being triggered. Safe tactile contacts such as hugging, patting the back, holding hands are important for bonding. Similarly, breathing exercises to be done with the child will help balance their nervous systems. The routines in the daily life of children should be continued as much as possible, and a regular sleep and nutrition program should be established as well as the continuity of the routines. In addition to these, it is necessary to ensure that they act by creating movement areas, and to emphasize that they are verbally safe and that they are next to you.” he said.
Stating that play is an important tool, Specialist Clinical Psychologist Elvin Aki Konuk said, “Game is a very effective and powerful tool for processing trauma. Through play, the child directs them to discover what is happening and to make sense of events that are difficult to understand. They can be relaxed by repeating their lives in the game without interfering with any game they play. Such games can be played at kindergarten, school or at home. For older children, areas where they can perform their hobbies should be created and necessary materials should be provided. It will be a supportive approach for them to verbally express their feelings and thoughts about the traumatic experience, rather than silencing them.” used their expressions.
“The fact of death should be explained to the child”
Specialist Clinical Psychologist Elvin Akı Konuk, who emphasized that if there is a loss of parents after the earthquake experienced by the children, should be explained to the child as soon as possible and by the person he trusts the most, and said, “If the child does not have any relatives, this information should be conveyed by the person who will take the responsibility of the child. Even if the death itself is traumatic, it should be explained to the real child, emotions should not be hidden while explaining, appropriate and short answers should be given to the questions asked by the child, and they should be allowed to express their feelings. Even after a loss, children need security and order around them. Re-development of trust and order can be accomplished by the adults caring for the child, by the resumption and regular maintenance of the old order.” he warned.
“Both emotional and social support should be given”
Specialist Clinical Psychologist Elvin Akı Konuk said that as a society, it is important to support children both emotionally and socially, to ensure that children move and socialize as much as possible, and to ensure the continuity of the support given not only during the earthquake but also in the future.
Specialist Clinical Psychologist Elvin Akı Konuk noted that children have a fragile nature by nature, but they are so resilient, “If appropriate support is provided, they have the capacity to overcome traumatic life events. Because they are born with their capacity to heal, it is necessary to help them reach that capacity as adults.” said.