War leaves physical scars as well as mental ones. The youngest generation suffers the most – our children, grandchildren, nephews, little siblings. Those boys and girls who manage to leave temporarily occupied territories, or worse – escape from Russian captivity, need special attention and help.

The Charity Fund "Direct Inclusion" dwells on how to recognize PTSD among children and how to deal with its influence.

General symptoms

First of all, here are the signs of PTSD:

• aggressive, depressed, hyperactive, or irritable behavior;
• disorders of memory, concentration, and attention in everyday tasks;
• increased anxiety, drowsiness, or, conversely, insomnia.

How do we relieve these conditions?

To improve minors' mental health, adults should follow some rules:

• First, taking care of your mental health is necessary because an excited, uncontrolled mood can also cause unwanted damage to the child's mental state. The child can get scared and shut down. It would help if you reacted in a balanced and collected manner to the stories or other things shared by children;
• Do not pretend that nothing is happening. In reality, keeping silent about what is happening can complicate the situation and make it more traumatic. Instead of ignoring, provide more cautious but at the same time objective explanations of the problem;
• It is necessary to constantly monitor the child's behavior to trace problems and provide instant help promptly. The best solution will be to contact qualified specialists immediately.

The Charity Fund "Direct Inclusion" reminds us that mental health is essential. Consult the specialists if it is necessary!