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Transcript/ScriptUSAGM SHARE
((TITLE: TV War and Mental Health – Bafradzhian
HEAD: Ukraine War News Effect on Children: How Adults Can Help
TEASER: Kids exposed to disturbing images and information can develop extreme anxiety, irritability, eating disorders and insomnia, psychologists warn
PUBLISHED AT: 04/01/2022 at 9:50am
BYLINE: Karina Bafradzhian
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Washington
VIDEOGRAPHER: Artyom Kokhan
PRODUCER:
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA, News Agencies TBD
PLATFORMS: TV only
EDITORS: KE(1st); REifenrath
TRT: 3:53
VID APPROVED BY: KE
TYPE: TVPKG
UPDATE: All interviews are Zoom and cleared for use))
((Please Retugn to Anna Rice and copy into HFR folder please))
((INTRO))
[[As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine enters a second month, social media and television continue to constantly broadcast disturbing images and news about the conflict. That’s raising some concerns about the effect it might be having on children’s mental health. Anna Rice has the story.]]
((NARRATION))
Extreme anxiety, irritability, eating disorders and insomnia — the effects of Russia’s invasion in Ukraine on the mental health of children and teenagers can be extremely grave, psychologists warn. And it doesn’t matter whether the children are in the middle of military action or across the world from it.
((Jeffrey Shahidullah, Pediatric Psychologist)) ((ZOOM))
“For younger kids, we worry a little bit more, because younger kids do have a harder time separating what’s happening in other places in the world to other kids from what’s happening to them.”
((NARRATION))
Psychologists say regardless of the child’s age, it is important — and necessary — to talk to them about the invasion.
((Jeffrey Shahidullah, Pediatric Psychologist)) ((ZOOM))
“I think it’s important for parents to recognize that kids are going to get this information, but we want to make sure that it’s information that they can digest. And if this information is above their development level or information that isn’t vetted by parents, then it can actually lead to mood changes, changes in anxiety, or kids being more irritable or clingy, or changes in appetite and sleeping.”
((NARRATION))
((Mandatory courtesy: Tatiana Butler))
Ukrainian Tatiana Butler has been living in the U.S. for the past 13 years, together with her husband and two sons. But her parents, brothers and sisters are still back home in Ukraine. Since the start of the invasion, she has tried to answer when her boys ask her why people are being killed in Ukraine.
((End courtesy))
((Tatiana Butler, Ukrainian Mother)) ((ZOOM)) ((IN RUSSIAN))
“They couldn’t understand why their grandmother and grandfather were hiding in the basement, why we see destroyed houses and damaged cars in the news… As a mom, it’s very painful for me to show these images to my kids, but I understand I need to show them what’s happening."
((NARRATION))
Crisis situations also provide an opportunity to teach children how to help those in need. Tatiana’s 10-year-old son, Vitaly,
((Mandatory courtesy: Tatiana Butler))
for example, painted an anti-war sign in support of Ukraine, and together with his parents and brother, took part in a protest in Washington.
((End courtesy))
((Vitaly, Tatiana Butler’s Son)) ((ZOOM)) ((ENG))
“When I watch the news and I see Russian people — military — attacking average people, I feel angry. We need peace. There’s no need for violence, there’s no need for war.”
((NARRATION))
((Mandatory courtesy: Nina Davis))
Russian Nina Davis, who lives in New Jersey, also feels it’s extremely important to talk to her 15-year-old son
((End courtesy))
about Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.
((Nina Davis, Russian Mother)) ((ZOOM)) ((IN RUSSIAN))
“It was important for me to make sure he doesn’t feel personally ashamed because neither me nor him are to blame. Not all Russians are bad.”
((NARRATION))
Talking and support are especially important for children who are in the middle of military action and see horrible things no child should ever see.
((Jeffrey Shahidullah, Pediatric Psychologist)) ((ZOOM))
“You do have incredible risk to emotional and behavioral wellness for these kids, so then how can we balance it out? Having loving, caring, supportive family, having a caring and supportive parent who can — amidst all the changes and uncertainty — will make certain things are as predictable as possible.”
((NARRATION))
But above all, psychologists say, parents need to repeat — both to themselves and their children — that war inevitably comes to an end — and this one is no exception.
((VOA News, Washington))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateApril 1, 2022 12:54 EDT
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
