Pediatric Terrorism and Disaster Preparedness: A ... - PHE Home

Chapter 8. Mental Health Issues
Goal: To prepare pediatricians to address the mental health needs of
children and families in a disaster or terrorist event.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this chapter, the reader will be able to:
1. Recognize pediatric psychiatric symptoms and disorders, including posttraumatic
stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and behavioral problems, after
exposure to disasters or terrorist incidents.
2. List the risk factors that are associated with an increased risk of posttraumatic
symptoms.
3. Describe three characteristic symptoms that are essential features of PTSD after
exposure to a traumatic event.
4. List five factors that are likely to be present in death circumstances that are
considered “traumatic deaths.”
5. Assess, screen and treat (or refer for treatment), children who are at risk for
mental health problems after exposure to a traumatic event.
6. Follow procedures for notification about an unexpected death with sensitivity to
key issues that will minimize the short- and long-term impact on survivors.
7. Explain death to children in a manner they can understand.
8. Recognize common reactions that children may have in response to a personal
loss.
9. Identify children who have extreme reactions, atypical reactions, or prolonged
reactions that require referral to a mental health professional experienced in the
management of pediatric bereavement.
10. Explain the controversy that surrounds the use of psychopharmacology in children
with PTSD.
11. Advocate for, consult with, and actively participate in school crisis response
teams.
12. Prepare families to cope with anniversary reactions and commemorative activities
of a traumatic event.
13. Recognize the emotional impact experienced by school staff, first responders, and
other health care professionals following a disaster.
14. Communicate effectively during a crisis.
Chapter 9. Integrating Terrorism and Disaster
Preparedness into Your Pediatric Practice
Goal: To assist general pediatricians in integrating the information in this
resource into their office- or hospital-based practices.
330