Children's trauma in Ukraine

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On February 24, the carefree world of youngsters was turned upside down when Russia invaded Ukraine. Bombing sirens, Russian attacks, and the darkness of cellars and subways turned their lives upside down. Some Ukrainians were born as a result of the bombing. And their moms' stress levels throughout pregnancy have an effect on their brains. "The youngster will most likely be more worried, irritable, and have learning issues than the usual child. The longer a person is stressed, the more it affects their brain "Emmanuel de Becker, head of the Cliniques Universitaires Saint-child Luc's psychiatry section, agrees.

Balance and regularity are required for a youngster to grow up peacefully. This ideal foundation, however, was wrecked by the war. The combination of conflict and isolation from loved ones makes the situation excruciating, resulting in severe trauma and a condition of numbness in which the youngster is unable to think or feel anything at all. A phenomenon that causes post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). "Agitation, flashbacks, reminiscences, sleep, concentration, and eating problems are all symptoms. The cognitive and emotional aspects of the brain are both affected "Emmanuel de Becker says. This condition might linger for weeks, if not months. Some "symptoms," like flashbacks, might resurface years later.

What is the greatest way to accommodate refugee children?
Nearly 11,500 Ukrainians have already registered as refugees in Belgium. Half of them are minors, according to Caroline Désir, Minister of Education for the Walloon-Brussels Federation. It is critical to provide adequate assistance for the youngsters. Some have been separated from their sibling or father, who has gone to war. It was a heartache. "All of a child's frames of reference are disrupted as he or she is thrust into an extraordinarily stressful environment. It is critical to sustain family groupings and ensure that children do not become estranged from their parents or grandparents "Emmanuel de Becker is certain. "Ideally, it is desirable to prevent frequent changes in the site of reception and to restore the drive of life, which includes modalities of exploration, games, and athletic activities," the psychiatrist explains.

The delicate job is to restore some sense of normalcy and stability to the youngsters. Even more so because they may acquire survivor's guilt, or resentment that they are protected while their loved ones are in danger.