Much of our knowledge about PTSD is based on studies of adults. As evidenced by the birth of new scientific disciplines (e.g., developmental translational neuroscience), it is clear that what we learn from research involving adults may not necessarily be applicable to children and adolescents. Indeed, the field of child and adolescent PTSD and trauma is relatively young, although the knowledge base has increased substantially over the past 2 decades. Moreover, task force members recognize that mental health professionals may have many different perspectives on child and adolescent trauma, particularly in regard to the specific nature of its effects and what interventions may be most effective in reducing negative outcomes and enhancing adaptive functioning. Although we attempt to summarize here what is currently known about child and adolescent PTSD and trauma, we welcome ongoing discussion and novel perspectives, which help to advance the field

Lessons on how to protect children on the move from being exploited | This study focuses on the experience of young people who leave home or travel abroad to seek work or a better life and also on children who are sent away from home by their parents. It explores initiatives which have had the effect of reducing the likelihood that such children will be subjected to economic or sexual exploitation. It sets out to go beyond identifying the vulnerable situations faced by such children, by examining what techniques have proved helpful to children who move away from their families.

Wie reagieren Kinder und Jugendliche auf ein traumatisches Ereignis. Reagieren Kinder auf unterschiedliche Formen traumatischer Ereignisse wie Unfall, Vergewaltigung, Gewalt in der Familie jeweils anders. Wie kann ich als Familienmitglied helfen? Wie kann ich als Lehrer, Erzieher, Freund helfen? Welche Behandlungsmöglichkeiten gibt es? Wie erfolgreich sind diese Behandlungen? Der Ratgeber gibt hilfreiche Antworten auf diese und weitere Fragen. Der Ratgeber liefert verständliche Informationen zum Störungsbild der Posttraumatischen Belastungsstörung in Kindheit und Jugend sowie zu dessen Behandlung. Ausführlich werden mögliche Beschwerden und Störungen der Betroffenen im zeitlichen Verlauf nach einem traumatischen Ereignis beschrieben. Detailliert wird dargestellt, wie Eltern, Erzieher oder Lehrer einen von einer Traumatisierung betroffenen jungen Menschen im alltäglichen Leben aber auch bei Diagnostik und Behandlung begleiten können. Der Ratgeber zeigt zudem auf, welche Verhaltensweisen unterstützend sind und welche die Erkrankung eher aufrechthalten können

The recruitment and use of children violates their rights and causes them physical, developmental, emotional, mental, and spiritual harm. The impact on their mental and physical well-being breaches the most fundamental human rights and represents a grave threat to durable peace and sustainable development, as cycles of violence are perpetuated. The Paris Commitments adopted in Paris in February 2007 are an expression of strengthened international resolve to prevent the recruitment of children and highlight the actions governments can and should take to protect children affected by conflict. The Paris Principles are the operational guidelines related to sustainable reintegration of children formerly associated with armed forces and groups

El Comité Permanente entre Organismos (IASC) ha elaborado esta Guía para posibilitar que quienes participan en acciones de ayuda humanitaria planifiquen, establezcan y coordinen un conjunto mínimo de respuestas multisectoriales para proteger y mejorar la salud mental y el bienestar psicosocial de las personas que atraviesan por situaciones de catástrofe. Las poblaciones afectadas por situaciones de emergencia humanitaria suelen padecer enormes sufrimientos.

This report outlines the known problems of child soldiers and the different forms of recruiting. The report zooms in on the Colombia situation and the motives with which Colombian children join these armed groups. Finally there's a list of actions that can be taken to change this situation and the contributions of War Child in these actions

Primary care visits may be a time that refugee families express concerns about their child’s functioning at home or school and/or providers may identify concerns about emotional or behavioral health. Most refugee children have experienced trauma which may affect their emotional, behavioral, and physical development. However, many refugee children are resilient and may not exhibit symptoms related to trauma.

Refugee children and adolescents exhibit resilience despite a history of trauma. However, trauma can affect a refugee child’s emotional and behavioral development. Mental health providers should consider how the refugee experience (e.g., exposure to hunger, thirst, and lack of shelter; injury and illness; being a witness, victim, or perpetrator of violence; fleeing your home and country; separating from family; living in a refugee camp; resettling in a new country; and navigating between the new culture and the culture of origin) may contribute to a child or adolescent’s emotional or behavioral presentation in a clinic, school, or community setting.

The community based programme aims to address the psychosocial needs of children and youth through helping to rebuild peaceful child- and youth-friendly communities through the use of cultural, creative, recreational, sportive and social activities. Within War Child, the community-based approach is relatively new and Sierra Leone was the first self-implementing War Child Programme Area (WPA) applying this approach.

Este documento complementa los contenidos del Seminario de formación y supervisión técnica en valoración de sospechas de ASI realizado durante los meses de febrero a mayo de 2007