With Canada being the second largest diaspora of Ukrainians in the world, we know that the war in Ukraine is affecting many people, including Club youth and staff. We are of course disturbed by what we see and hear about the invasion, and it’s adding to the ongoing mental health toll.

Addressing the fears and worries of children and youth as they discuss their anxieties and fear about war and its possible impacts is important, even when we don’t have certainty about what may happen next. For many youth, this is the first time they have considered the possibilities of a broader war, including the threats of a nuclear power. It is a difficult time, but listening and being open remains one of our best tools of support.

Below we have compiled a few resources that can help parents, guardians, caregivers, and childcare staff talk with children about traumatic events.

• How to talk to children about the invasion of Ukraine, and why those conversations are important (from The Conversation)
• Talking to children about war (from The National Child Traumatic Stress Network)
• How to talk to your children about conflict and war (from UNICEF)
• With invasion of Ukraine, parents and educators face tough conversations with kids (from CBC)
• How to talk to children about the war in Ukraine (from The Tyee)
• How to talk with kids about war: Pointers for parents (from familyeducation.com)
• Understand why Russia is attacking Ukraine (from owlconnected.com)

Young people who are feeling overwhelmed or stressed or just need to talk can also contact Kids Help Phone by texting BGCHelp to 686868 to be connected with a crisis responder 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.