The role of healthcare centers in psychosocial support of children during crises
Abstract
In times of crises such as wars or natural disasters, children are among the most vulnerable groups, often psychologically affected even in the absence of physical injuries. This letter to the editor reflects on a personal encounter with a frightened child in the emergency department, highlighting the need for psychosocial support in pediatric healthcare settings. Simple and practical strategies—such as active listening, creating comfort spaces, supporting parents, and fostering empathy—can make a significant difference in a child's recovery. Healthcare centers should be more than treatment facilities; they must be safe havens where children's psychological wounds are seen and gently tended to.
Keywords: Child mental health, Crisis, Healthcare centers, Psychosocial support, Pediatric emergency, Humanitarian care
Keywords
Supporting Institution
None. The study did not receive any financial or institutional support.
Project Number
N/A – This work did not involve human or animal research requiring an ethics approval number.
Ethical Statement
This article is based on the author’s personal clinical observations and does not involve any experiments on human participants or animals. Therefore, ethics committee approval was not required. Patient details have been fully anonymized to ensure confidentiality.
Thanks
The author would like to thank all healthcare workers who continue to provide compassionate care to children during times of crisis.
References
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- 2. UNICEF. Children under attack [Internet]. New York: UNICEF; [cited 2025 Aug 6]. Available from: https://www.unicef.org/children-under-attack
- 3. World Health Organization. Mental health in emergencies [Internet]. Geneva: WHO; 2019 [cited 2025 Aug 6]. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-in-emergencies
- 4. World Health Organization. Psychological first aid: Guide for field workers. Geneva: WHO; 2011
- 5. Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC). IASC guidelines on mental health and psychosocial support in emergency settings. Geneva: IASC; 2007
- 6. World Health Organization. mhGAP humanitarian intervention guide (mhGAP-HIG): clinical management of mental, neurological and substance use conditions in humanitarian emergencies. Geneva: WHO; 2015
- 7. National Child Traumatic Stress Network, National Center for PTSD. Psychological first aid: field operations guide. 2nd ed. Los Angeles, CA: NCTSN and NCPTSD; 2006
Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Community Child Health
Journal Section
Case Report
Authors
Early Pub Date
December 15, 2025
Publication Date
December 30, 2025
Submission Date
August 9, 2025
Acceptance Date
October 12, 2025
Published in Issue
Year 2025 Volume: 23 Number: 3
APA
Khodabandeh, M. (2025). The role of healthcare centers in psychosocial support of children during crises. Turkish Journal of Public Health, 23(3), 376-377. https://doi.org/10.20518/tjph.1759423
AMA
1.Khodabandeh M. The role of healthcare centers in psychosocial support of children during crises. TJPH. 2025;23(3):376-377. doi:10.20518/tjph.1759423
Chicago
Khodabandeh, Mahmoud. 2025. “The Role of Healthcare Centers in Psychosocial Support of Children During Crises”. Turkish Journal of Public Health 23 (3): 376-77. https://doi.org/10.20518/tjph.1759423.
EndNote
Khodabandeh M (December 1, 2025) The role of healthcare centers in psychosocial support of children during crises. Turkish Journal of Public Health 23 3 376–377.
IEEE
[1]M. Khodabandeh, “The role of healthcare centers in psychosocial support of children during crises”, TJPH, vol. 23, no. 3, pp. 376–377, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.20518/tjph.1759423.
ISNAD
Khodabandeh, Mahmoud. “The Role of Healthcare Centers in Psychosocial Support of Children During Crises”. Turkish Journal of Public Health 23/3 (December 1, 2025): 376-377. https://doi.org/10.20518/tjph.1759423.
JAMA
1.Khodabandeh M. The role of healthcare centers in psychosocial support of children during crises. TJPH. 2025;23:376–377.
MLA
Khodabandeh, Mahmoud. “The Role of Healthcare Centers in Psychosocial Support of Children During Crises”. Turkish Journal of Public Health, vol. 23, no. 3, Dec. 2025, pp. 376-7, doi:10.20518/tjph.1759423.
Vancouver
1.Mahmoud Khodabandeh. The role of healthcare centers in psychosocial support of children during crises. TJPH. 2025 Dec. 1;23(3):376-7. doi:10.20518/tjph.1759423