Close Alert Banner
Skip to Content

Hospital

ResearchFoundation

Text Resize

Regular Large X-Large

Colour Contrast

Default High

Accessible formats and communication supports are available, please contact accessibility@cheo.on.ca

View Our Accessibility Plan

CareersContact UsWebsite FeedbackMyChart
FR
Childrens Hospital of Eastern Ontario Logo
Contact Us
  • Coming to CHEO
    • Accessibility
    • Amenities
    • CHEO KidCare Pharmacy
    • Health Records
    • Maps and locations
    • Parking
    • Patient safety
    • Pay your bill
    • Preparing for your stay or visit
    • Research Connection
    • Visiting hours and policies
    View our Physician directory page
    Find Your Doctor Directory
  • Clinics, Services & Programs
    • A-Z Directory
    • Core Innovation
    • Emergency care
    • IR/Cath and Sim Labs
    • Make a referral
    • Mental health
    • School
    • Surgical care
    • Virtual care
  • Resources and Support
    • A-Z resources
    • Community supports
    • Families First newsletter
    • Family and caregiver supports
    • Indigeneity - Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, Social justice
    • Patient Experience
    • Transition to adult care
  • Get Involved
    • Co-op program
    • Donate
    • Family Advisory Council
    • Feedback
    • Share your voice
    • Volunteer
    • YouthNet
  • About Us
    • About CHEO
    • Careers at CHEO
    • CHEO leadership
    • For community physicians
    • For learners, students and residents
    • For pharmacists
    • Newsroom
    • Our partners
    • Privacy and confidentiality

Helping children and youth cope after traumatic events

Young girl

Regular Large X-Large
 
  • Open new window to share this page via Facebook Facebook
  • Open new window to share this page via LinkedIn LinkedIn
  • Open new window to share this page via Twitter Twitter
  • Email this page Email

Contact us

Receive Email Updates...
Print as a PDF fact sheet Print as a QR code 

For best results make sure background graphics are enabled.

 Table of contents

How do children and youth react after traumatic events?

Helping children and youth to recover

Questions

Children and youth can have strong emotional reactions (or stress reactions) after a difficult experience. A traumatic event is one that causes a child or teen to react with horror, fear and distress. Events that might cause a stress reaction include:

  • being in a car crash
  • getting badly hurt
  • witnessing violence
  • nearly drowning
  • seeing another person get badly hurt

How do children and youth react after traumatic events?

Everyone is different, and reactions often depend on a child’s age. After a traumatic event, children and youth may feel:

  • frightened
  • angry
  • sad
  • guilty
  • ashamed

You may notice that your child or youth:

  • ‘regresses’ or behaves as they did when they were younger (wetting the bed or being very clingy)
  • cries more often
  • is fearful
  • has nightmares
  • has trouble sleeping
  • has flashbacks (re-lives the traumatic experience)
  • eats more or less than usual
  • becomes ‘hypervigilant’ (very watchful to detect possible danger)

Helping children and youth to recover

Children and youth react differently to traumatic events than adults do. Parents, teachers and caregivers have a big role toplay in helping children to recover after a traumatic experience. It’s important to:

  • Explain that your child or teen is not to blame for what happened.
  • Stay close. Show that you are there to support and care.
  • Stick to everyday routines as much as possible. This helps children and youth to feel safe.
  • Accept your child’s feelings. Let your child or teen know that it’s OK to feel angry, sad or frightened after what happened.
  • Give chances to express feelings. Allow your child or teen to express feelings by talking, drawing, painting or playing.
  • Express your own feelings. It’s OK to cry and be upset. But parents need to be able to cope positively with feelings before they can help a child or teen.
  • Give your child or teen more control in life. Give choices or let her make decisions about what to wear, what to eat, how to spend free time.
  • Notice when your child or teen does something well.
  • Be patient and loving. Each child or teen will heal at their own pace.

Questions?

Call your family doctor or reach out to 1call1click if:

  • you think your child or youth’s stress reaction is severe
  • your child or youth is not feeling better after a month

Speak to your nurse if your child or youth is still at CHEO.

Have you registered for MyChart?

MyChart is a FREE secure, online patient portal that connects patients to parts of their CHEO electronic health record, anywhere, at any time.

To apply for MyChart access, visit cheo.on.ca/mychart and fill out the MyChart access request form. Once your application has been approved, we'll send you an email with an activation code and instructions on how to log in and get started.

#BestLife for every child and youth

2022-03-02 | P5568

This reference is for educational purposes only. If you have any questions, ask your health-care provider.

CHEO

  • Coming to CHEO
  • Clinics, Services & Programs
  • Resources and Support
  • Get Involved
  • About Us

Contact Us

CHEO
401 Smyth Road
Ottawa ON K1H 8L1
Phone: 613-737-7600
Email Us

 

Connect with us

View our Facebook Page View our Instagram Page View our YouTube Page View our LinkedIn Page

Sign up for our newsletter

twitter:00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000

Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario logo

Copyright 2025 CHEO.

By GHD Digital
  • Sitemap
  • Accessibility
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy and confidentiality
  • Website Feedback
  • Contact Us

Staff Portal

Close Old Browser Notification
Browser Compatibility Notification
It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.