Supporting Children, Strengthening Communities: Professional Skills for Talking About Wildfires Together
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Overview
In the wake of the tragic fires facing Los Angeles County communities, this video addresses how to talk with children and families about the wildfires. This video is useful for a range of professionals, including therapists, social workers, teachers, health care workers, and lawyers, as well as parents and family members.
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Part 1: Common Responses to Traumatic Events
Many adults and caregivers are unsure what reactions children may have after experiencing a stressful life event. Learn about common reactions, worries, and fears that may occur in children — and adults — in response to the Los Angeles wildfires. This video is the first part of a five-part excerpt from a live presentation that was held on January 15, 2025.
Part 2: Protective Factors to Traumatic Events
The more positive and supportive relationships that children have with peers and adults, the better they do overall. Here are a few suggestions to create and continue to foster healthy relationships during times of high stress and disrupted routines. This video is the second part of a five-part excerpt from a live presentation that was held on January 15, 2025.
Part 3: Tools and Strategies for Managing Anxiety
When we help others, we help ourselves as well. This video will cover some ways for children of all ages to engage with activities to manage anxiety by making meaning from stressful events. This video is the third part of a five-part excerpt from a live presentation that was held on January 15, 2025.
Part 4: Pause-Reset-Nourish (PRN) to Promote Wellbeing
You may have heard the saying, “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” As a caregiver, it’s important to make sure you are taking care of yourself while taking care of others. This video provides information about the specific self-care strategy of Pause-Reset-Nourish (PRN). This video is the fourth part of a five-part excerpt from a live presentation that was held on January 15, 2025.
Part 5: Q&A With Dr. Brymer
Dr. Melissa Brymer, director of terrorism and disaster programs at the UCLA-Duke National Center for Child Traumatic Stress, is an expert on how children deal with stress following disasters. In this video, Dr. Brymer responds to questions submitted by attendees on how best to offer psychological assistance to children in the aftermath of the Los Angeles wildfires. This video is the fifth part of a five-part excerpt from a live presentation that was held on January 15, 2025.
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- UCLA Prevention Center of Excellence
- DMH + UCLA Public Mental Health Partnership
- UCLA Hispanic Neuropsychiatric Center of Excellence
- UCLA Depression Grand Challenge's Screening and Treatment for Anxiety and Depression (STAND) Program
- UCLA Pritzker Center for Strengthening Children and Families
- UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs
- Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA
- National Clinical Scholars Program
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