Helping kids cope with trauma
Young people today face a bewildering array of trauma in tragedy–from personal horrors like abuse to societal concerns like school shootings, natural disasters, and terrorism. But how can a young person, still coming to grips with their faith and identity, cope with so many issues that confound even jaded adults?
A new article at Youth Specialties discusses a crucial but often-overlooked aspect of youth ministry: helping kids navigate their way through life’s overwhelming traumas [PDF format]. How can you as a youth leader help the kids in your care deal with these issues without giving in to despair or denial? The article contains helpful advice for spotting the signs of serious trauma in children, and suggests that a Biblical response of lament can be the key to helping guide them through personal crisis.
