SAT-7 KIDS SUPPORTS CHILDREN EXPERIENCING TRAUMA
When children are displaced – as are 2.5 million from Syria alone(1)– they endure the additional trauma of losing their homes and stability. Many child refugees endure dangerous journeys or separation from their parents. Displaced children are also vulnerable to abuse, child marriage, or even recruitment as child soldiers.
A LIFELONG IMPACT
The trauma caused by these events can impact children both emotionally and physically. Child conflict victims may experience feelings of anxiety, sadness, and anger, or suffer headaches or stomach aches. They may develop low self-esteem or behavioural problems, fall behind developmentally, or struggle at school.
Some children can be very resilient, but strong adult support is often needed to prevent the worst impacts of trauma. Unfortunately, parents struggling with trauma themselves may be less able to help, and relationships in displaced families are threatened by difficult living conditions.
When traumatised children go without support, the consequences for their life chances can be devastating. They may have long-term difficulty managing their emotions and behaviour, struggle in their relationships, and take dangerous risks. Untreated trauma can cause long-term mental and physical health problems and increase the risk of heart disease, cancer, and early death.
HELPING FAMILIES HELP CHILDREN
It is vital that we prevent these unthinkable costs to children, families, and societies in the MENA. As a trusted source of information, available even to many displaced families, SAT-7 KIDS is uniquely placed to help young viewers manage trauma.
Several programs also reach out to parents and caregivers. The current season of the SAT-7 ARABIC program With Smyrna is educating adults about trauma in bitesize, three-minute episodes, providing practical strategies for supporting children of all ages. The show also helps parents build healthy relationships with their children that can help protect youngsters from the effects of future trauma.
IT’S GOOD TO TALK
The women’s counselling program Speak Up, on SAT-7 ARABIC, recently ran a special episode that invited mothers of traumatised children to call in for support. SAT-7’s telephone counselling centres are also on hand to provide prayer and advice for viewers of all ages.
(1) UNICEF
EDUCATION BEYOND TELEVISION
Alongside broadcasting on the SAT-7 ARABIC and SAT-7 KIDS satellite channels, the SAT-7 ACADEMY brand of programs are also available on social media platforms such as YouTube and Facebook, where viewers can choose and watch entire episodes, and engage with the SAT-7 ACADEMY Audience Relations and Social Media Officers.