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Book
A terrible thing happened: A story for children who have witnessed violence or trauma
Margaret M. HolmesThis gently-told and tenderly-illustrated story is for children (4-8 year olds) who have witnessed any kind of violent or traumatic behaviour, including physical abuse, school or gang violence, accidents, homicide, suicide, and natural disasters such as floods or fire. -
Website
Books on anger, violence and tantrums
Little ParachutesThis website offers a collection of books that help reassure children that feeling angry from time to time is normal, and offer practical ways to neutralise this anger. -
Research paper
Children’s exposure to domestic and family violence
Child Family Community AustraliaThis paper examines the literature assessing children's exposure to domestic and family violence, and findings that domestic and family violence can affect children's behaviour, schooling, cognitive development, mental and physical wellbeing, and is the leading cause of homelessness for children. Children who grow up in families where domestic and family violence occur are also more likely to experience other forms of child abuse, such as sexual, physical and emotional abuse/maltreatment. The effects of such multi-victimisation require attention in policy, practice and research. -
Resource summary
Resources for supporting infants and children in disasters
This practice guide is a series of resources on child-centred and family-focused approaches in disaster preparedness, response and recovery. It aims to equip you with foundational knowledge and evidence-informed approaches to support infants, children and their families during and after disasters, and promote their long-term healing and wellbeing. -
Research summary
Highlights in child mental health research: July 2025
Prepared by AIFSThe July 2025 research summary provides a selection of recently released papers, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses related to infant and child mental health. Each summary includes an introductory overview of the content for the month, followed by a list of selected articles. Each article is accompanied by a brief synopsis that presents the key messages and highlights. Links to abstracts, full-text articles and related resources, where available, are provided. -
Webinar
Wellbeing for workers supporting children and families after a disaster webinar
Child Family Community Australia & Emerging MindsCo-produced with Child Family Community Australia (CFCA) will explore how to support workers who engage with children and families during and after disasters or severe weather events. It is intended for both managers and frontline practitioners. -
Webinar
A whole child approach to disaster recovery
Emerging Minds and Mental Health Professionals' Network (MHPN)This webinar, co-produced by the Mental Health Professionals Network (MHPN), our panel of experts explore ways to support infants and children following a disaster. -
Practice paper
Why we need to support infants and children before, during and after disasters
Emerging MindsInfants and children rely on the adults around them to meet their needs, keep them safe and help them to make sense of their world. This puts them at greater risk of adverse impacts when a disaster occurs. This practice paper introduces the foundational knowledge and skills needed to support children and families at all stages of a disaster (preparedness, response and recovery). -
Practice paper
Disaster preparedness with a focus on infants, children and families
Emerging MindsThis practice paper is designed to help you understand the importance of disaster preparedness for not only increasing safety and protecting lives when a disaster occurs, but facilitating the recovery of individuals, families and communities. It also offers practical advice for supporting the disaster preparedness of the children and families you work with. -
Practice paper
Understanding how disasters influence infants and children
Emerging MindsThis practice paper aims to equip practitioners with knowledge about the ways disasters can influence a child’s ecology and the importance of targeted support for children’s resilience and recovery in the short and long term. -
Practice paper
Supporting infants, children and families in an evacuation
Emerging MindsThis practice paper explains why it’s important to consider pregnant people, infants, children and families in evacuation planning and management. It provides practical considerations and strategies for ensuring evacuation procedures and centres meet the needs of infants, children and families and enhance their safety, wellbeing and recovery. -
Practice paper
How psychological first aid can support infants, children and families who experience a disaster (part one)
Emerging MindsThis paper is the first of two and introduces psychological first aid (PFA), a psychosocial support approach that can reduce distress and support the mental health of infants, children and families who have experienced a disaster.