Mental Help Support:
Speaking to your child about wars and conflicts

During times of conflict or wars and when exposed to loud noises and distressing visuals, children might experience fear or anxiety. Addressing these emotions is crucial to help them feel secure and understood.

Your child or teenager may have questions, as many of them often rely on their imagination, social media, or snippets from conversations to fill information gaps.

Be sure to provide brief, straightforward, and age-appropriate explanations. The following recommendations are provided to assist in supporting your children:

1. Start With Emotional Validation (Before Reassurance)

Children calm down after they feel understood, not before.

What to say

• “That sounds really scary.”
• “I can see why you’d feel worried.”
• “A lot of children feel that way when they hear about things like this.”

Avoid:

• “There’s nothing to be scared of.”
• “You’re fine.”
• “Don’t think about it.”

2. Invite the Fear Out (Don’t Guess It)

Children’s fears are often different from what adults assume.

Ask open, gentle questions

• “What part worries you the most?”
• “What do you think might happen?”
• “When do you notice the fear showing up?”

You may discover fears such as:

• “It might happen to my family”
• “I won’t be able to sleep”
• “No one will help if something bad happens”

3. Restore a Sense of Safety and Predictability

Fear increases when children feel out of control.

What helps

• Consistent routines (sleep, school, prayer, meals)
• Predictable responses from adults
• Clear boundaries around media exposure
• Avoid TV news playing in the background

4. Teach Simple Coping Tools (Empowerment)

Give children something they can do when fear shows up.

For younger children

• Deep breathing with hands on stomach
• Drawing the fear, then drawing safety
• Holding a comfort object

For older children / adolescents

• Naming the feeling (“This is worry, not danger”)
• Grounding (5 things you see, 4 you feel, etc.)
• Limiting news and social media intentionally

5. Keep the Door Open (Fear Returns in Waves)

Kids usually need ongoing talks, not just a single conversation. Finish by saying, “If you’re worried again, I’m always here to listen.”

Watch for signs that fear is becoming overwhelming:

• Sleep disturbances or nightmares
• Regressive behavior
• Physical complaints
• Avoidance or withdrawal