The social and crisis emergency service of the Central Finland welfare area serves around the clock
When you need help, support and security in the face of a sudden and shocking crisis, contact the welfare and crisis emergency service of the Central Finland welfare region at 014 266 0149.
The service is open every day of the year 24 hours a day. The customer himself, a worried friend, a relative or an authority can seek help from the social and crisis emergency for a surprising and traumatic situation. The services are free of charge and you can also contact us anonymously.
Social and crisis emergency services include urgent social work, psychological first aid or crisis work in times of distress, crisis or loss, as well as crisis meetings for individuals, families or groups.
In case of emergency, always call the emergency number 112.
A traumatic crisis can be, for example:
- sudden death of a loved one
- suicide attempt by a loved one
- accidents
- being a victim of violence or a serious crime
- serious illness of your own or a loved one
After a traumatic experience, it is normal for a person's mind and body to react to what happened. Some react more strongly in the same situation, others more mildly.
For more information, you can find the welfare area of Central Finland From the web page of "Krisis ösögnelle"..
The child needs support and presence
The child also reacts to shocking events. The child's reactions are influenced, among other things, by the child's age. Small children usually do not know how to express their sadness by crying.
The child may experience:
- irritability and frustration
- restlessness
- clinginess
- sleep difficulties
- physical symptoms such as stomach ache and headache.
Talk to the child about what happened. Don't cover up your own feelings too much. Give the child time to understand, and correct any misunderstandings. Maintain normal daily routines so that the child feels safe.
Own parents or other close adults are the child's best support and security, even when something shocking has happened. Also tell the child's daycare or school about what happened, so that the child can be supported in a difficult situation.
You can find more information about crisis situations in families with children From our crisis situations in a family with children website.
Instructions from Mannerheim Children's Welfare Association for discussion with the child
- Give the child time and space to talk about his feelings. Accept and respect the child's reactions, even if they seem strange. A child does not know how to talk about his worries like adults. Children and young people can express their own confusion and fear by laughing or making jokes. It may confuse or anger an adult. However, it is important not to underestimate the child's feelings. They should be approached with understanding and questions answered patiently. Give the child time and the opportunity to express, understand and work on the event in their own way.
- Answer the child's or young person's questions honestly, but without inciting fear and uncertainty. Tell about what happened taking the child's age into account. Tell the facts so that the child does not resort to imagination. Imagination usually exaggerates and makes things worse.
- Please be reminded that such events are very rare. A child or young person may have a strong experience of insecurity as a result of what happened. How could this have happened? Why do people do this? Will the school be safe in the future?
- Keep yourself as calm as possible. However, you can say that you are shocked and saddened by this very rare event. The child's reactions are based on the example given by the parents: if the adult behaves as calmly as possible, the child feels safe. Note that the child may have an increased need for closeness.
- Above all, be a safe and listening adult. Accept and respect the child's reactions, even if they seem strange. Give the child time and the opportunity to express, understand and work on the event in their own way.
- If you see that a child or young person is closing down, initiate a conversation: "Hey, I feel like you're thinking about that unpleasant event. What are you all thinking? Scared you?”
- If your child has seen news coverage of the event or an online video, discuss the thoughts and feelings it evoked. Do not fill the child's mind with constant news of accidents. Satisfy your own need for information by following the news without the presence of a child or young person and discuss the worries the event has caused in you with other adults. This is how you protect your child from extra recall of details. Tell the young person that he should protect himself and not look at, for example, images of violence that are spreading on the Internet.
- Events can be transferred to children's sleep and games. Falling asleep can be difficult and parental support is needed during the night hours. Promises that even an older child can come and sleep next to him if he is distressed or scared. The children talk to each other about what happened and may start playing about it. A heightened interest in death may also occur. These are normal ways of working through what happened and as a parent you should not be upset, but rather encourage the child and young person to express their feelings.
- Also take care of yourself and discuss your feelings with other adults.
- If your child's symptoms are severe or continue for a long time, feel free to contact a professional helper. If the news of violence you have seen touches you closely, then it is good to go over the matter with a professional.
Check out the instructions: Talking about violent news with a child (mll.fi)
Chat support available to everyone
In crisis situations, you can also chat on the following channels nationwide:
- MIELI ry's national crisis hotline, tel. 09 2525 0111 (24 h/day)
- The crisis phone is also available in Swedish, Arabic, English, Ukrainian and Russian.
- Help chat For 7-15 year olds
- MIXED chat For 12-29 year olds
- Nuortenetti (mll.fi)
News published, modified 4.4.2024 at 08:46
