In recent years, there's been a worldwide increase in disasters, mass violence, and terrorism around the world.

These events often come with loss of life, leaving many children experiencing both trauma and grief, which take a toll on their development.

Disasters leave many children struggling with mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD, as they also struggle with their grief.

Furthermore, when the grief is due to an event that is widely covered by media, children and their families often have difficulty navigating their personal recovery and healing separate from that of the community.

So what do we know about children's experiences of trauma and grief? How does such events

influence their development, both in the near term and beyond? How can parents, caregivers,

and therapists help children who have lived through floods, wildfires, hurricanes, war, and other

traumatic events.

What can be done for parents and other caregivers who themselves are suffering as they

try to help their kids recover and thrive?

Welcome to Speaking of Psychology, the flagship podcast of the American Psychological Association

that examines the links between psychological science and everyday life.

I'm Kim Mills, coming to you from Denver at APA 2025, the National Convention of the American Psychological Association.

My guest today is Dr. Robin Gerwitch, an emeritus professor in the Duke University Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and the Center for Child and Family Health.

She is a recognized expert in understanding and supporting children in the aftermath of trauma and disasters.

Since the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995, Dr. Gerwitch has focused much of her clinical work,

training, and research on improving the outcomes and increasing resilience in children

who have experienced trauma or lived through crises, including terrorism, natural disasters,

and stressors related to military deployment. She has served on state and national committees and task forces,

including the National Commission on Children and Disaster's Subcommittee on Human Services Recovery.

Dr. Gerwitch is one of the first people we at APA reach out to after disasters

to help us advise families and children who are trying to cope.

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