Stormy Weather

What an amazing weekend we had here in Licking County. All the excitement in Heath last Friday, Hurricane Ike hitting down in Texas but it’s effects being felt all the way up here just a few hours later, Sunday’s Kid’s First Fest at Geller Park. Next weekend we have the Jaycee’s Parade. So much is going on for the children and youth in our community….but there is also so much violence to consider.

Whether it is intentional violence, acts of violence to hurt others, or the violence of Mother Nature, children are often anxious & unsure of how to deal with these situations. Parents need to be especially aware of the stress that their children may feel during difficult times. Don’t play off their fears, but take them seriously and talk openly about their feelings. All the events shown on television, about the war, the weather, or just nightly news and lame programming can truly affect the way we look at our world.

There are times when this anxiety is normal, even appropriate. Stress is not always a bad thing, but it can have lasting affects if not handled properly. Emotional and physiological reactions vary depending on a child’s age. The same holds true for adults. Most children can bounce back quickly with support in their homes, schools & communities. There are however, warning signs that should not be taken lightly and might indicate that professional intervention is necessary.

For children: be honest, provide reassurance about what they are witnessing and feeling. Help them make sense of what they see or hear. Do not criticize your child’s feelings, but encourage open discussions so your child can feel safe talking about them. Do not overexpose children to violent images.

Most importantly, never hesitate to seek professional help when needed. MHA provides many helpful services in Licking County: support groups, educational programming, advocacy and more. We want our children to be strong, safe and free, but we also want them to be empowered and aware of some of the negative aspects of every day life. Raising healthy, helpful children is such a chore but also such a blessing. Weare proud to be able to help – please check in with us if you have any questions about feeling too stressed, too overwhelmed or scared about the goings-on in our world. We are here to help you in bringing wellness home…

--Jan GreeRiver

Dir. of Prevention & Programs