Helping Kids Cope with Hurricane Recovery

It has been over a month now since Hurricane Ida changed the lives of our community. Recovery efforts are underway on the physical structures in the parish, but oftentimes the effects of such destruction on our smallest members can be overlooked. 

You may have noticed that the children in your life might be a bit quieter, or more quick to temper. Maybe they are struggling with sleeping or afraid to go back to school. All of these behaviors are normal for children recovering from a traumatic experience and we have gathered together some resources that you can use to help them process their feelings and begin their own journey to recovery. Below is a collection of links to outside organizations that specialize in helping children through such events. We’ve also included a list of picture books that you can share with the littles in your life. These books are great for starting tough conversations about the feelings that they may not even have the name for. 

Be sure to check out our recent blog post on Mental Health Resources for more organizations available. If you or someone you know needs help, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1 800-273-TALK (8255) or through chat available 24/7.  

Resources for Caregivers

Picture Books to Share

-Gretchen Avet, Youth Services Clerk and Naomi Hurtienne Magola, Youth Services Librarian