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
Child mental health, Crisis, Healthcare centers, Psychosocial support, Pediatric emergency, Humanitarian care
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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