Understanding Wildfire Stress in Children: Insights from a Child Psychologist
January 14, 2025 - 09:29
Dr. Erica Lee, a child psychologist at Boston Children's Hospital, sheds light on the significant mental health challenges that wildfires pose to children. With the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires, many families are facing heightened anxiety and stress, particularly among younger members. Dr. Lee emphasizes that children may not fully grasp the dangers of wildfires, leading to confusion and fear.
To help parents navigate these tough conversations, she suggests maintaining open lines of communication. Encourage children to express their feelings and validate their emotions. Dr. Lee also recommends creating a sense of safety at home by establishing routines, which can provide stability amidst chaos. Engaging in calming activities, such as art or mindfulness exercises, can also be beneficial.
Moreover, she highlights the importance of limiting exposure to distressing news coverage, which can exacerbate anxiety. By fostering a supportive environment and addressing their concerns, parents can play a crucial role in helping children cope with the stress associated with wildfires.
MORE NEWS
August 24, 2026 - 11:35
Psychology explains how trauma can trigger the lesser-known ‘fawn response’, making some people act calm aMost people know about fight or flight, but psychology experts point to a lesser-known reaction called fawning. This response makes some individuals try to please or appease a perceived threat...
August 23, 2026 - 22:30
Wellness stacking: why psychologists say it beats willpower for building healthy habitsFor years, the standard advice for building healthy habits was simple: just try harder. But psychologists are now pointing to a different approach called wellness stacking, and they say it works...
August 23, 2026 - 11:00
Why Good People So Often Do Nothing`Always try to do the right thing` is the kind of advice that sounds too obvious to need saying. Of course you should. Who wakes up planning to do the wrong thing? But the gap between our good...
August 22, 2026 - 23:54
Psychology says time genuinely feels faster in your 60s and 70s, and it’s not your imagination — the brain timestamps novelty, and routine years leave fewer markers behind, so whole stretches compress in memoryThe calendar gave you the same 365 days every year. What changed is how many of them your memory filed separately, and in later life, that number tends to drop. Psychologists say this isn`t a trick...