Basic tips for the emotional well-being of children and adolescents affected by armed conflict situations

The foundations of psychosocial well-being are:

  • The enjoyment of rights and access to basic needs (food, housing, livelihoods, health care, education, participation).
  • A sense of security, which comes from living in a safe and supportive environment, in a familiar or caring environment.

When this well-being is disrupted by war or humanitarian crisis, it can have an impact on children's psychological and social development.

Helping children and adolescents feel safe and protecting them from further harm
Doctores
Recommendations for relatives and carers
Familia
Information of interest for refugees

What reactions can we expect from children and adolescents?

Each child and adolescent respond differently to difficult situations, some of which are normal reactions at the beginning. If they do not subside in approximately 1 month, then one should seek professional help and/or consult with one’s Primary Health Care Centre.

These reactions and behaviours do not always manifest themselves in the same way in boys, girls and adolescents, and may be influenced by having experienced traumatic situations or some type of violence (sexual, gender-based, human trafficking or other...).

It could be that in the time you have spent in transit until you arrive here, you or one of the children or adolescents travelling with you, may have experienced one of these situations which may have left an emotional scar on them.

The most important thing at all times is to listen, give your attention, accompaniment, warmth and affection. Also, at any sign of having exposure to any of these situations, be sure to ask for help. On this website you will find a list of contacts where you can ask for help.

Relatives and Carers

Family members and caregivers are also experiencing the humanitarian crisis, so it is also common to experience diverse reactions such as:

  • Not feeling able to manage the situation and feeling despair.
  • Having difficulty communicating with children and adolescents.
  • Feeling exhausted and having difficulty concentrating.
  • Changes in in eating, sleeping and self-care habits.
  • Physical discomfort (headache, contractures, tummy ache...).
  • Fear, sadness or irritability.

Taking care of oneself is not selfish, in fact, it is responsible. It means being able to continue to be effective in helping others.

Avoid over-information: It is important to be well informed, but once or twice a day is enough. It is advisable not to be on the lookout for news all day long, but to have some time to disconnect. When we inform ourselves, we will do so by selecting positive information.

Helping children and adolescents feel safe and protecting them from further harm

Official websites
of Cities and Regions (Comunidades Autónomas)

In collaboration with the Programa de Psiquiatría Transcultural del Vall d'Hebron Hospital