A few days ago, a multi-month project signed by the director of the Zagreb Child and Youth Protection Center, professor Gordana Buljan Flander, PhD and psychologists from the Center, Tea Brezinšćak and Ella Selak Bagarić, motivated by the desire to make available to children, parents, teachers and other adults who care for child something that will empower them and make it easier for them to overcome the challenges we face. This is how the workbook “Every day is getting braver” was created, with activities intended to strengthen psychological resilience and support in dealing with emotions triggered by pandemics and earthquakes, which was printed thanks to Jutarnji list and HEP and will be distributed free of charge as a gift in tomorrow’s Jutarnji list, dated September 24, 2020.
On this occasion, an interview of journalist Karmela Devčić was published with the authors entitled “This booklet will help children express their fears of a pandemic and earthquake”, which we are publishing in its entirety:
“Every day is getting braver” is a workbook that Jutarnji readers will receive free of charge with a copy of the newspaper on Thursday, which aims to strengthen and build the psychological resilience of children who in just a few months found themselves exposed to various unexpected and unpleasant situations, due to a pandemic separated from friends and relatives, physically unable to attend classes and then experienced an earthquake. The workbook was designed by child psychologists Gordana Buljan Flander, Tea Brezinšćak and Ella Selak Bagarić from the Zagreb Child and Youth Protection Center. Through a series of creative tasks that touch on online teaching, separation from friends, various feelings, we try to help children to process difficult emotions.
Coping with stress
If we do not take into account the mental health of children in times of crisis, tomorrow it will have a very visible impact on society, warns professor Gordana Buljan Flander and adds: “Earthquakes and pandemics at the same time, in cumulative effect, adapt, and we have often been fascinated in our clinical work by the inner strength of patients and the ability to overcome significant life challenges. However, in some children the life path after coping with stress and trauma is significantly changed in a negative direction, and it is the responsibility of professionals and the community to try to mitigate the consequences of the crisis, because what we know is that the importance of timely psychological help is crucial to prevent serious consequences as well as their deterioration. ” During quarantine, it was especially difficult for children whose home was not a safe place, but a place full of violence. “Children faced with violence by those with whom they should feel most secure, children who felt warmth and security at school, in the home of a friend or neighbour. The numbers are relentless. We know that during the period of isolation, violence becomes invisible, even though its numbers are actually rising. ”
New normal
The psychologist goes on to say: “Over the past months, my colleagues and I have been monitoring what helps the children, drawing, making materials, and then putting them to a big test – the children’s test. In talking to parents, we realized that it is easier for them to talk about adapting to change with students through structured activities. That’s how the workbook “Every day is getting braver” was created. “The changes brought about by a pandemic are a source of stress, to which people react in different ways and with different intensity. Tea Brezinšćak explains: “Feelings of anxiety, worry and depression can occur, but also irritability, frustration or anger. If I’m angry at someone, I have an opponent I can fight and regain some of the much-needed sense of control. Some people tend to underestimate the level of vulnerability, which is also a way to combat the threat. Absolutely all the emotions that occur are fine, it is important to understand them. But it is also important to choose ways to deal with these emotions.
The increased stress we face for a long time depletes our psychological reserves and can also lead to the occurrence of psychological difficulties, such as anxiety, depression or difficulty sleeping, or deepen those already present. As we all search the store shelves for masks and something to boost our immunity, we have to stop and ask ourselves, ‘What have I done for my mental health today?’ ”
We are often asked what the right time to seek professional help is. As psychologists, we answer – when the changes they notice in themselves persist for a long time or significantly complicate your daily life. But the right answer might be – when you feel the need”, says Brezinšćak. Is there a new normal and what helps us adjust? An increasing number of mental health experts point out that the term “new normal” should not be used.
“Speaking of the situation as a ‘new normal’, we actually express to ourselves the expectation that we should have already adapted and left – we take permission to feel the emotions that are present in us. The situation we are facing is far from normal and is constantly changing. As such it requires our constant adjustment, which is stressful. It is important to be aware of our losses and to allow ourselves to feel all the emotions that come with them, in order to accept the new reality as it is over time. This does not happen overnight and it is important to be patient – towards ourselves and others”, says Ella Selak Bagarić.”
Source: https://www.jutarnji.hr/vijesti/hrvatska/ova-ce-knjizica-pomoci-djeci-da-izraze-strahove-od-pandemije-i-potresa-15020655
Disclaimer: This is unofficial translation provided for information purposes. Zagreb Child and Youth Protection Center cannot be held legally responsible for any translation inaccuracy.
