The Impact of Floods on the Mental Health of Children: Information for Mental

Health Professionals: Resources and References for Professionals

Resources

Therapeutic Intervention Tools

After a Disaster – Children’s Workbook. (Trethowan, V., & Roberts, M., 2010)
www.education.vic.gov.au/Documents/school/principals/community/ndisworkbook.pdf

After the Storm: A Guide to Help Children Cope with the Psychological Effects of a Hurricane. (La Greca, A.
M., Sevin, S. W., & Sevin E. L., 2008) - An activity book with information and strategies to help children cope
with their reactions and feelings from a hurricane and its aftermath, Designed for children ages 6 -12 but can be
adapted for younger or older children.
www.7-dippity.com/docs/After_The_Storm_(2008_Internet_Edition).pdf

Behaviour Toolbox Series – An online resource for educators and professionals working with children and
adolescents experiencing behavioural and learning difficulties. There are 3 versions: Child (0-12 yrs.), Adolescent
(12-18 yrs.) and Autism (5-12 yrs.)

 AHS employees insite.albertahealthservices.ca/8595.asp

 Non AHS staff access through the HMHC website under resources
www.albertahealthservices.ca/2734.asp

Butterfly Hug. (Artigas, L., & Jarero, I.) Retrieved from www.amamecrisis.com.mx/proing_butterfly.htm

Can Do and the Storm: A Story About New Beginnings. (Morty, D., & Deblinger, E., 2005) – A colouring book
written for children affected by hurricanes designed to help children to think about and share their feelings
regarding frightening events they have experienced.
www.thecandoduck.com/uploads/can_20do_20and_20the_20storm4.pdf
nd
Caring for Kids after Trauma Disaster and Death: A Guide for Parents and Professionals, 2 Ed. (New York
University Child Study Centre, 2006) – A comprehensive guide for parents, educators and mental health
professionals. An excellent resource providing information geared towards a child’s/adolescent’s developmental
level. While the document is lengthy, it is broken down into sections with a detailed table of contents.
www.aboutourkids.org/files/articles/crisis_guide02.pdf

Children and trauma: Update for Mental Health Professionals.

www.apa.org/pi/families/resources/task-force/child-trauma.aspx

Cognitive Behavioural Interventions for Trauma in Schools (CBITS)

 CBITS Website http://cbitsprogram.org/
 CBITS Fact Sheet www.nctsn.org/sites/default/files/assets/pdfs/cbits_general.pdf

Healing After Trauma Skills (HATS): A Manual for Professionals, Teachers and Families Working with
nd
Children After Trauma/Natural Disaster, 2 . Ed. (Gurwitch, R., & Messenbaugh, A., 2005) – An
activity manual designed for use with children (preschool to early middle school) who have experienced trauma
resulting from a natural disaster. It is intended to be delivered by mental health professionals and teachers with
children in small groups or on an individual basis.
www.nctsnet.org/nctsn_assets/pdfs/edu_materials/HATS2ndEdition.pdf
nd
The Great Storm and Flood Recovery: Children’s Story and Activity Book, 2 Ed. (Conner, Michael G., &
Mentor Research Institute, 2005) – A resource to help parents and children recover emotionally, and to prevent
further emotional problems caused by storms that cause flooding. Parent Guide included.
www.mentorresearch.org/Documents/StormFloodColoringBookParentGuide.pdf
MindMasters - Positive living skills program for children 12 and under that teaches simple and concrete techniques to
help children manage stress and frustration, relax fully and develop a positive perspective. This free online
resource has video training for parents/professionals about the program along with all the materials to teach the
students (activities, worksheets and CD audio tacks which guide the child through each skill). All resources can
be downloaded for free from the links below:

 MindMasters (ages 4-8 and 9-12)

www.child-youth-health.net/english/publications-and-resources/mindmasters/

 Mini MindMasters (ages 6 and under)

www.child-youth-health.net/english/publications-and-resources/mini-mindmasters/

My Colouring Book – Fighting the Flood. (Government of Alberta, 2013, used with permission from the Government
of Manitoba) – A colouring and activity book which explains what a flood is and facilitates emotional expression and
recovery. www.health.alberta.ca/documents/Fighting-Flood-Colouring-Book.pdf

Psychological First Aid (PFA)

nd
 PFA Field Operations Manual, 2 ed. - Worksheets and Tip sheets for providers to disseminate to parents
on how to deal with children after disasters. Information categorized by age and available in four languages.
www.nctsn.org/content/psychological-first-aid

 NCTSN Online PFA Training http://learn.nctsn.org/course/category.php?id=11

Reactions and Guidelines for Children Following Crisis and Trauma (n.d.) (Gurwitch, R. H., Silovsky, J. F.,
Shultz, S., & Kees, M.) - Outlines the reactions that Kindergarten elementary and middle school children and
high school youth may exhibit after they have experienced trauma. It also provides guidelines for
parents and caregivers on how to help them.
www.ohiocando4kids.org/sites/default/files/GuidelineCrisis-2010_032911v2.pdf

The River Throws a Tantrum. (Altrows, R., 2013) – A storybook about a boy whose family had to be evacuated from
their home during the 2013 Flood in Calgary. Local author Rona Altrows was inspired to write this book for her
grandson who was affected by the flood. (Note: This book is available for purchased at Pages Books on
Kensington in Calgary and Chapters stores in Calgary and Southern Alberta.)

Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT)

 TF-CBT Web (free web-based learning course) http://tfcbt.musc.edu/

 TF-CBT Fact Sheet www.nctsnet.org/nctsn_assets/pdfs/promising_practices/TFCBT_General.pdf

When Can We Go Home? An Activity Book for Kids Who’ve Had to Leave Their Homes. (Shapiro, L. E.,
2005. This book contains 13 activities designed to help children build resilience and cope with the stress of being
displaced from their homes.
www.dmh.ca.gov/disaster/docs/Grants/Additional_Resources/When_Can_We_Go_Home.pdf

Resiliency and Self Care

Alberta Health Services

 Facilitating Resilience www.albertahealthservices.ca/2550.asp

 Managing Stress www.albertahealthservices.ca/InjuryPrevention/hi-ip-pipt-chc-managing-stress-

ho.pdf

American Psychological Association

 Manage Flood-Related Distress by Building Resilience. (APA, 2011) www.apa.org/helpcenter/flood-

distress.aspx
Canadian Mental Health Association www.cmha.ca/

 Mental Health Meter www.cmha.ca/mental_health/mental-health-meter/#.UkSQgdKKKul

 Work-life balance quiz www.cmha.ca/mental_health/work-life-balance-quiz/#.UkSQItKKKuk

Compassion fatigue www.compassionfatigue.ca

 Compassion Satisfaction and Fatigue Test www.compassion-fatigue-

seminar.com/CompassionFatigueTest.pdf

 Self Care Tips www.compassionfatigue.org/pages/Top12SelfCareTips.pdf

 Preventing Compassion Fatigue www.compassionfatigue.dreamhosters.com/wp-

content/uploads/2011/12/Preventing-Compassion-Fatigue.pdf

Headington Institute (Care for Caregivers)

 How To Help Friends, Colleagues and Yourself Recover From a Natural Disaster www.headington-
institute.org/Portals/32/Resources/HOW%20TO%20HELP%20AFTER%20A%20NATURAL%20DIS
ASTER.pdf

 Understanding and Addressing Vicarious Trauma - Self Study Module www.headington-

institute.org/Default.aspx?tabid=2646

Resiliency Wheel www.resiliency.com/free-articles-resources/crisis-response-and-the-resiliency-wheel/

Helpful Websites

Alberta Health Services www.albertahealthservices.ca/8644.asp

 Healthy Minds/Healthy Children Outreach Services www.hmhc.ca/flood.htm

and www.albertahealthservices.ca/4718.asp

American Psychological Association (APA) www.apa.org/

Headington Institute (Care for Caregivers) www.headington-institute.org

Kansas State University: Flood of Emotions Brochures

 www.ksre.ksu.edu/bookstore/pubs/MF1127.pdf
 www.ksre.ksu.edu/bookstore/pubs/mf1154.pdf
 www.ksre.ksu.edu/bookstore/pubs/mf1129.pdf

National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) www.nasponline.org/

National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) http://www.nctsn.org/

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) www.samhsa.gov

 Children and Youth Resource Collection – An excellent collection categorized and annotated with
links. www.samhsa.gov/dtac/dbhis/dbhis_children_intro.asp
 References

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Alberta Health Services (2013). Helping children and teens recover from a disaster or emergency.
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recover-from-a-disaster-or-emergency.pdf

Artigas, L., & Jarero, I. The Butterfly Hug. Retrieved from http://www.amamecrisis.com.mx/proing_butterfly.htm

Baggerly, J., & Exum, H. (2007). Counseling children after natural disasters: Guidance for family therapists. The
American Journal of Family Therapy, 36:79–93.

Brymer, M., Jacobs, A., Layne, C., Pynoos, R., Ruzek, J., Steinberg, A., et al. (2006). Psychological first aid: field
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Başoğlu, M., Salcioğlu, E., Livanou, M., Kalender, D. & Acar, G. (2005). Single-session behavioural treatment of
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Canadian Red Cross. (2003). Facing fear: Helping young people deal with terrorism and tragic events.
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Cohen, J.A., Mannarino, A. P., & Deblinger, E. (2006). Treating Trauma and Traumatic Grief in Children and
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nd
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Websites:

Alberta Health Services http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/

American Psychological Association (APA) http://www.apa.org/

National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) http://www.nasponline.org/

National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) http://www.nctsn.org/

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) http://www.samhsa.gov/