Understanding a child's response to trauma

Trauma is a very distressing or frightening event that overwhelms a child’s ability to cope and affects their sense of safety and mental health. It can result from directly experiencing or witnessing events such as serious injury, car accidents, sudden illness, natural disasters, or the death of someone close.

Children respond differently depending on their age, development, what they experienced, and how adults respond. Reactions may appear immediately, weeks or months later—or sometimes not at all.