Disaster preparedness and response: Supporting children and infants through trauma

Children today may likely experience a growing number of climate and other disasters and emergencies. Mental health practitioners have a critical role to play in supporting infants, children and their families through trauma, leveraging their diverse strengths and identifying and responding to complex needs.

Designed for practitioners across health, mental health, and community settings, this session will explore effective disaster response and aims to strengthen understanding, support multidisciplinary practice, and build confidence in responding to the diverse needs of children and families affected by disasters and emergencies.

Learning outcomes:
• Gain practical insights into what effective disaster support looks like and how practitioners can contribute to positive outcomes.
• Understand the value of interdisciplinary collaboration and the importance of respecting professional roles within broader care teams.
• Learn strategies to support practitioner wellbeing when working in challenging and high-pressure environments.
• Examine current evidence on child development and the factors that influence children's experiences of adversity.

For more information, contact MHPN at e.arnel@mhpn.org.au or 1800209031.