Help Kids Cope

Help Kids Cope is an app designed to assist parents in talking to their children about different disasters they may experience or have already experienced. This app includes 10 different disaster types with sections in each on how to explain, prepare, respond, and heal from the event their family is concerned with. Each section gives guidance on talking to preschool, school-age, and adolescent children, as well as, includes ways parents can help themselves cope and support their children’s reactions. Parent audio icons are located throughout the app—simply tap on these to hear a parent’s personal story. Make sure your device is not on mute or vibrate to hear these stories.

Help Kids Cope was a collaborative effort between the Ozark Center and the National Child Traumatic Stress Network. This app is designed to assist parents in talking to their children about different disasters they may or have already experienced.

Project Team

Melissa J. Brymer, PhD, PsyD

DeAnna Griffin, MA

Jonathan Gunderson

Mariana Holliday, MA

Vicky Mieseler, MS

Cynthia Whitham, LCSW

The project team expresses its appreciation to Derek Gaarder, Dr. Joy Osofsky, the Ozark Center, the Texas Department of State Health Services, and the UCLA National Center for Child Traumatic Stress for contributing to the audio segments. Some of the content originated from Dr. Robin Gurwitch and Dr. Merritt Schreiber.

Funding for this project was provided by the Missouri Foundation for Health, the Ozark Center, Inc., and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of Missouri Foundation for Health, Ozark Center, SAMHSA or HHS.

The Missouri Foundation for Health is a resource for the region, working with communities and nonprofits to generate and accelerate positive changes in health. As a catalyst for change, the Foundation improves the health of Missourians through a combination of partnership, experience, knowledge and funding.

About the National Child Traumatic Stress Network

Established by Congress in 2000, the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) brings a singular and comprehensive focus to childhood trauma. NCTSN’s collaboration of frontline providers, researchers, and families is committed to raising the standard of care while increasing access to services. Combining knowledge of child development, expertise in the full range of child traumatic experiences, and dedication to evidence-based practices, the NCTSN changes the course of children’s lives by changing the course of their care.